SpaceX Engineers a New Frontier: Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis Lead First Private Spacewalk
The first non-professionals to successfully execute a spacewalk from a SpaceX Dragon capsule are Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis.
The millionaire businessman Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis accomplished a noteworthy first by being the first non-professional astronauts to complete a spacewalk. Isaacman and Gillis stepped out of the SpaceX Dragon capsule on September 12, 2024, while it was floating 435 miles above Earth. This commercial mission, which is being funded by Isaacman, is a historic first because spacewalks were previously exclusively performed by government astronauts.
Historical Spacewalk Conducted by Private Parties
According to a BBC story, Gillis and Isaacman—who is funding the Polaris Dawn mission—entered orbit at approximately 11:52 BST while donning specially made extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. Isaacman was the first to depart the capsule, testing his suit's operation before returning inside. Gillis trailed behind, making her own assessments as she told their story in real time. The spacewalk was originally planned for earlier, but it was delayed to allow for adequate planning and safety.
An Original Method for Spacewalks
The SpaceX Dragon capsule was completely exposed to the vacuum outside, in contrast to conventional spacewalks, which require an airlock to keep the spacecraft separated from space. The crew had to spend two days "pre-breathing" in order to prevent decompression sickness, which was one of the special obstacles this new technique brought.
In order to precisely resemble the space environment, the spaceship was depressurized.
According to a Hindustan Times story, Dr. Simeon Barber, a research scientist at the Open University, observed that this strategy is distinct from other ones and highlights SpaceX's inventive spirit. Modern elements like a heads-up display are integrated into the EVA suits, improving both functionality and safety.
Significance and Prospective Consequences
This private spacewalk's successful completion marks a significant advancement in space exploration. It draws attention to how private businesses have the ability to advance space exploration. Even while these flights are still quite expensive, efforts like these might open the door for more affordable space travel down the road. The Polaris Dawn mission also broke the previous record for the most people in space at once.