SpaceX Polaris Dawn: Passengers complete historic spacewalk

Two passengers on board a private SpaceX mission completed a spacewalk about 700km above Earth on Thursday, floating their way into the history books as the first civilians to perform the daring stunt.

Billionaire Jared Isaacman was the first to exit the Dragon capsule at 2.50pm, UAE time, while attached to a safety tether, to test the mobility of the new spacesuit designed by SpaceX for this five-day Polaris Dawn mission, which launched on Tuesday.

SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis carried out her spacewalk after Mr Isaacman, chief executive of payment processing firm Shift4, re-entered the spacecraft.

US Air Force Lt Col Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon, who are also part of the mission, were also exposed to the vaccum of space when the hatch was opened.

“Back at home we all have a lot of work to do but from here, it sure looks like a perfect world.” Mr Isaacman, chief executive of payment processing firm Shift4, said as he emerged from the hatch to breathtaking views of the planet.

Both spent about 14 minutes outside of the hatch testing the suits and so mission control could gather data on it.

Polaris Dawn is SpaceX's fifth private mission, with one milestone already achieved after the spacecraft carried passengers to an altitude of 1,400km.

Dr Dimitra Atri, astrophysicist at the New York University Abu Dhabi, told The National that this mission was crucial for future deep space missions.

“SpaceX has ambitious plans to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars,” he said.

“This EVA (spacewalk) is a critical step in testing the capabilities of their space suit in outer space, demonstrating their ability to independently conduct private astronaut missions.”

He said that Polaris Dawn was also important for studying the effects of radiation on astronauts as they pass through the Van Allen radiation belt.

These are regions in space where charged particles surround Earth because they trapped by its magnetic field, which can pose risks to satellites and astronauts.

“Radiation is the biggest roadblock to human crewed missions to Mars,” said Dr Atri.

On Wednesday, the capsule began gradually descending to enable the passengers to perform the spacewalk.

Spacewalks have traditionally been carried out by highly trained astronauts who undergo extensive preparation, often using underwater simulations to mimic the weightlessness of space.

These missions typically take place at altitudes of about 400km above Earth, usually at the International Space Station and China's Tiangong space station.

The EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) and Russian Orlan spacesuits, which are still worn by Nasa, European and Russian astronauts, are bulky and are designed for extended spacewalks but with limited flexibility.

Nasa astronauts have often complained that they are outdated and prevent movements while performing important maintenance tasks outside of the International Space Station.

SpaceX’s suits for the Polaris Dawn mission were designed to be sleek, lightweight and modern to reflect advancements in materials and design.

Testing the suits were critical for future deep space missions, as technology is being developed to transport humans to the Moon and beyond.

Anna Hazlett, founder of AzurX - a UAE-based space advisory and investment firm, told The National that this mission was a welcome boost to the private space sector.

“This is a pivotal moment in space exploration as it signifies the growing accessibility of space, showcasing how private citizens — not just professional astronauts, can now engage in complex missions,” she said.

“As space tourism evolves, Polaris Dawn could set the precedent for more immersive experiences, where future tourists might not just orbit the Earth but also step into the vastness of space itself.”

The mission was first announced in 2022 as part of the broader Polaris programme, funded by Mr Isaacman.

The passengers will also test SpaceX’s Starlink communication system in space for the first time tomorrow in a live demonstration.

They are expected to splashdown off the coast of Florida on Sunday.

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