The Polaris Dawn Mission
The Polaris Dawn mission is intended to test new spacesuits and flight technology that could pave the way for future missions to the moon, and hopefully Mars.
Source: @SpaceX/X
In addition to the private spacewalk, the astronauts onboard will also complete various scientific experiments during the mission. The Dragon spacecraft will pass through the Van Allen radiation belt, which is a zone of high-energy radiation particles trapped by Earth’s magnetosphere.
Astronauts on Board
There are four people currently on board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Source: @SpaceX/X
The crew is made up of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Issacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Isaacman funded and took part in the first all-civilian mission in 2021. He is also a major part of the funding for the current mission.
The Spacewalk
The historic spacewalk took place around 6:52 a.m. ET when Issacman exited the Dragon, followed shortly by Gillis.
Source: @SpaceX/X
The two civilian astronauts were roughly 435 miles above the Earth’s surface. Previous flights into space have occurred at a lower orbit to meet with the International Space Station.
Length of the Mission
The Polaris Dawn will spend a total of five days in space. It will reach altitudes of 870 miles away from the Earth’s surface.
Source: @Truthful_ast/X
The spacewalk can only take place for short periods of time to keep the astronauts safe.
The Live Stream
Of course, the tech entrepreneurs who took part in the mission made sure to send a live stream of the stunning views of Earth as seen from the Crew Dragon Capsule.
Source: @MasroorBukhari/X
As Isaacman took the first steps into space, he remarked, “Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world.”
Testing New Space Equipment
During the historic spacewalk, the astronauts inside were also wearing full spacesuits while the craft was depressurized.
Source: @SpaceX/X
The spacesuits provided oxygen and pressure-stable environments to the two people on board. Part of the reason for the spacewalk is to test out newly designed SpaceX spacesuit, which is slimmer and easier to move in than previous spacesuits used for spacewalks.
Research for Human Health
During the five-day mission, the crew will also participate in various research projects for human health in space.
Source: @PolarisProgram/X
Sensors will be used to monitor how much radiation each person gets exposed to during the flight through the Van Allen radiation belt.
The First of Three Planned Missions
The Polaris Dawn flight is just the first in three planned flights that Isaacman will be funding.
Source: SpaceX
However, he has been relatively tight-lipped on the flights. he has not shared the cost of the program of the possible objectives and the timing for other missions.
A Record Number of People in Orbit
Aside from the historic civilian astronauts onboard the Crew Dragon flight, there is another milestone being hit in space yesterday.
Source: @Waivly/X
There are 19 people currently in orbit around Earth at one time, more than ever before.
Russia Helped Break the Record
The record for people in space at one time was officially broken when a Russian Soyuz spacecraft launched three more crew members to the International Space Station.
Source: @ShuttleAlmanac/X
There are currently 19 people rotating outside of Earth’s orbit from five different space expeditions and three countries.
The Spacewalk Is Officially Over
SpaceX noted that the spacewalk officially ended at 7:58 a.m. ET.
Source: @SpaceX/X
The first outing of all civilians on a spacecraft is a historic moment for the community excited about sending more tourism to space and, hopefully, Mars.