Historic Spacewalk by Non-Professional Crew
Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and engineer Sarah Gillis have made history by becoming the first non-professional crew to perform a spacewalk. Exiting the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 11:52 BST, they embarked on one of the riskiest maneuvers in space, floating 435 miles above Earth. “Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here Earth sure looks like a perfect world,” Isaacman remarked as he stepped out.
Mission Details and Crew Members
Isaacman entirely funded the mission, marking a significant milestone as the first commercially funded spacewalk. The four-person crew aboard the Resilience spacecraft included retired air force pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon, alongside Isaacman and Gillis. Isaacman planned this journey as the first of three missions under the Polaris Program, aiming to advance private space exploration.
Challenges and Risks of the Spacewalk
Unlike traditional spacecraft equipped with airlocks, the SpaceX Dragon capsule lacks such a feature, making the spacewalk particularly risky. The crew underwent a two-day “pre-breathing” process to prevent decompression sickness as the spacecraft depressurized. Both Isaacman and Gillis narrated their experience, testing the specially designed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits during their time outside the capsule.
Advancements in SpaceX Technology
The EVA suits worn by the crew are an upgrade from SpaceX’s previous intravehicular activity (IVA) suits. Featuring a heads-up display within the helmet, the suits provide real-time data to astronauts during spacewalks. All four crew members wore these suits, setting a record for the most people exposed to the vacuum of space simultaneously. The mission showcased innovative technology and flexibility in suit design, eliminating the need for separate suits during launch and landing.
Significance for Private Space Travel
This successful spacewalk represents a major leap forward for private space travel, highlighting the potential for non-professional astronauts to undertake complex space missions. While historically only government-funded astronauts have performed spacewalks, this mission demonstrates the growing capabilities and ambitions of private companies like SpaceX in expanding access to space.
Future of Commercial Space Exploration
Entrepreneurs like Jared Isaacman and Elon Musk are paving the way for increased private involvement in space exploration. Despite the high costs currently associated with such missions, the goal is to make space travel more accessible in the future. Government agencies, including NASA, are encouraging this shift by collaborating with private firms to lower the costs and barriers to space.
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