SpaceX has made history by conducting the first-ever private spacewalk during its Polaris Dawn mission. Billionaire Jared Isaacman, the mission’s leader, achieved this incredible feat, making it the first privately managed spacewalk. Shortly after, SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis followed suit, adding to the momentous occasion. While the visuals might not have been as dramatic as Neil Armstrong’s iconic moonwalk, it was a significant step forward for space exploration. Until now, spacewalks were exclusively performed by government astronauts.
The spacewalk unfolded with meticulous preparation and execution. Throughout Wednesday, the spacecraft orbited Earth multiple times, reaching a record distance from Earth since the Apollo missions. The spacecraft then adjusted its orbit and cabin pressure to prepare for the spacewalk, formally called Extravehicular Activity (EVA). The entire mission was broadcast live on Twitter and YouTube, allowing the world to witness this historic event.
The spacewalk began with all four crew members purging their suits, which involved filling them with pure oxygen. This crucial step signaled the start of the EVA clock. The crew relied on their slim, SpaceX-designed spacesuits for oxygen, connected to the Crew Dragon capsule via an umbilical cord. After pressurizing the suits and checking for leaks, the crew was cleared to vent the cabin, matching the pressure inside with the vacuum outside.
Then came the moment of truth – opening the Crew Dragon hatch. While this wasn’t a simple button press, Isaacman, after a few attempts, managed to open the hatch manually. He then ascended the ‘skywalker’ ladder and peeked outside the capsule. Although the live feed experienced occasional blackouts, onboard cameras captured Isaacman’s silhouette against the backdrop of Earth.
The spacewalk was more about stretching than walking. Isaacman remained attached to the capsule as he tested the suit’s flexibility and functionality. After roughly 10 minutes, Gillis took over, performing the same procedures. However, she noticed bulges in the hatch seal, raising concerns about its ability to close properly after the EVA. Despite this, Gillis continued her tasks, bobbing up and down in weightlessness, sending reports back to mission control.
Both Isaacman and Gillis were equipped with 3.6-meter tethers, but they did not unfurl them or venture too far from the capsule, unlike astronauts at the space station. Meanwhile, Poteet and Menon remained inside the capsule, monitoring the spacewalk. After completing her tasks, Gillis climbed back into the capsule, adjusted the hatch seal, and closed the hatch. The Crew Dragon then began repressurizing, and within fifteen minutes, the air pressure returned to normal. The danger had passed.
The spacewalk, although scheduled for only 30 minutes, took an hour and 46 minutes due to the extensive preparation and post-spacewalk procedures. It was a risky test of the new spacesuits and procedures, pushing the boundaries of what private companies can achieve in Earth’s orbit.
The success of the spacewalk was a testament to the rigorous training undertaken by the crew. Gillis, a senior space operations engineer at SpaceX, is responsible for training astronauts in safety and flight operations. She has extensive experience training NASA astronauts for various missions, including the International Space Station Dragon missions and the Inspiration4 mission in 2021. Isaacman, an experienced pilot with over 7,000 flight hours, previously flew into space in 2021 as part of the Inspiration4 mission. Poteet, with over 3,200 flying hours, served as the mission director for Inspiration4.
The historic event marked a significant milestone for the commercial space industry. It signifies the increasing role of private companies in space exploration and their ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible. SpaceX’s achievement reinforces the potential for private companies to contribute to the future of space travel and exploration, opening up new possibilities for both scientific research and commercial endeavors.
