In a groundbreaking moment, tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk, venturing outside a SpaceX capsule hundreds of miles above Earth on Thursday. SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis followed suit, making her the first company employee to perform a spacewalk.
The spacewalk, lasting less than two hours, was the centerpiece of Isaacman’s privately funded Polaris Dawn mission. It involved testing SpaceX’s new spacesuits and pushing the boundaries of commercial spaceflight. Isaacman and Gillis performed simple movements while tethered to the capsule, offering breathtaking views of Earth in the background.
Read: SpaceX Launches Fourth Test Flight Of Starship Megarocket
This historic event marks a significant step towards making space exploration more accessible, with private citizens now joining the ranks of professional astronauts who have ventured outside their spacecraft. It highlights the increasing role of private companies like SpaceX in pushing the frontiers of space travel.
While shorter and simpler than spacewalks conducted by astronauts on the International Space Station, this private spacewalk still involved risks. The use of new spacesuits and the fact that the entire capsule was exposed to the vacuum of space added complexity to the mission.
Read :Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan Asks If DOJ Is Suing Elon Musk’s SpaceX For ‘Hiring Too Many Americans’
Despite minor glitches, like Isaacman needing to manually open the hatch, the mission was deemed a success. Isaacman, the CEO of Shift4, and his crew underwent rigorous training before the flight, which was the first of three planned missions in his Polaris program.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.