Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, and Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-professional astronauts to perform a spacewalk. On September 12, 2024, Isaacman and Gillis emerged from SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, floating 435 miles above Earth. This commercial mission, funded by Isaacman, marks a historic milestone, as previously only government astronauts performed spacewalks.
Historic space walk conducted by private individuals
Isaacman, who is funding the Polaris Dawn mission, and Gillis ventured into space at around 11:52 BST, wearing newly designed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits, according to a Agency report. Isaacman was the first to exit the capsule, testing the functionality of his suit before heading back inside. Gillis followed, carrying out her own assessments while narrating her experiences live. The spacewalk was initially scheduled to take place earlier, but was postponed to ensure safety and adequate preparation.
A unique approach to spacewalks
Unlike traditional spacewalks, which use an airlock to separate the craft from space, SpaceX's Dragon capsule was fully exposed to the outside vacuum. This new method presented unique challenges, including the need for the crew to undergo two days of “pre-breathing” to avoid decompression sickness.
The spacecraft was depressurized to match the space environment as closely as possible.
Dr Simeon Barber, a research scientist at the Open University, noted that this approach differs from previous methods and underlines SpaceX’s innovative spirit, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. The EVA suits used incorporate advanced features, such as a head-up display, which improves functionality and safety.
Importance and future implications
The successful execution of this private spacewalk represents a major achievement in space travel and highlights the potential for private companies to push the boundaries of space exploration. While the costs of such missions remain high, initiatives like this could pave the way for more accessible space travel in the future. The Polaris Dawn mission also set a new record for the largest number of people in the vacuum of space simultaneously.
This historic event underscores the growing role of private companies in space exploration and sets a precedent for future spacewalks conducted outside of government space agencies.