In a historic milestone for private space exploration, two astronauts from SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission successfully completed the world's first commercial spacewalk on Thursday. Billionaire Jared Isaacman, 41, and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, 30, ventured out from the Crew Dragon spacecraft, tethered and orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth.
The spacewalk, which was broadcast live on SpaceX's website, began at 6:12 a.m. ET when oxygen flowed into the astronauts' suits, marking the official start of their groundbreaking mission. Despite a brief delay earlier in the day, Isaacman and Gillis were prepared after launching into orbit on Tuesday for a five-day journey.
During the spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis took turns exiting the capsule, focusing on testing new spacesuit technologies while staying near the hatch. Meanwhile, the other two crew members observed the maneuvers from inside the spacecraft. This mission not only demonstrates the viability of private ventures in space but also sets the stage for future commercial endeavors beyond Earth's atmosphere.
SpaceX's collaboration with Isaacman highlights the growing role of non-governmental individuals in space exploration, paving the way for more accessible and innovative missions in the years to come.
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SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission crew completes 1st commercial spacewalk
cgtn.com
