NAIROBI, Kenya- In a groundbreaking move for commercial space exploration, two astronauts—one a billionaire, the other an engineer—successfully completed the world’s first private spacewalk on Thursday.
Floating outside a SpaceX capsule, they tested new spacesuits and set the stage for future missions that could redefine space travel.
This daring feat, once reserved for national space programs, took place during the Polaris Dawn mission, a project spearheaded by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The private spacewalk was conducted just outside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, orbiting 450 miles above Earth.
The mission saw Jared Isaacman, billionaire founder of Shift4, and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis step into the void tethered to the capsule.
Isaacman went first, followed by Gillis, each spending roughly 10 minutes outside the gumdrop-shaped spacecraft. While their movements appeared somewhat stiff in the slim new spacesuits, the mission offered invaluable feedback for future design improvements.
This historic walk in space was a vital step toward advancing space technology, with SpaceX aiming to perfect equipment for upcoming missions to Mars.
The capsule was fully depressurized, a challenging maneuver, as the astronauts relied solely on their SpaceX-developed suits for oxygen, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the mission.
Isaacman, who financed the entire Polaris mission, has a history with SpaceX—he previously bankrolled the 2021 Inspiration4 flight. His investment is not just in the mission but in the future of space travel, with an eye toward taking commercial missions to new heights.
The crew’s journey was streamed live on SpaceX’s website, allowing viewers to witness this bold chapter in space exploration.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson was quick to applaud the achievement, stating, “Today’s success represents a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry and NASA’s long-term goal to build a vibrant U.S. space economy.”
This mission adds momentum to NASA’s strategy of partnering with private companies to explore the cosmos.
The Polaris Dawn crew, which also included Scott Poteet and Anna Menon, has been training intensely for the past two and a half years.
Their preparation involved simulations, challenging environments, and “experiential learning” designed to test their limits in space.
The capsule orbited Earth six times, traveling as far as 870 miles from the planet, the farthest any human has ventured since the Apollo mission in 1972.
This achievement underscores how far private spaceflight has come, surpassing milestones once thought unattainable by non-governmental entities.
With the success of this private spacewalk, SpaceX further cements its role as a leader in commercial spaceflight.
The company, the only private entity that can regularly send humans to and from orbit, is already eyeing more ambitious missions. The technology tested during this mission, including the pressurization procedures and new spacesuits, will likely be key in SpaceX’s plans to conquer Mars.
The journey continues for SpaceX, which has flown more than a dozen astronaut missions—mostly for NASA.
While Boeing’s Starliner capsule remains in development, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has become the reliable workhorse for ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station. As the commercial space race heats up, all eyes are on what SpaceX will do next.
