On September 12, 2024, SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission made history with the first-ever civilian spacewalk. This milestone was part of a five-day mission that began on September 10, 2024, with the launch of the Crew Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Financed by American billionaire Jared Isaacman, who served as mission commander, the crew included pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, both SpaceX engineers. Launching from the renowned Launch Complex-39A, the crew reached an astounding altitude of 870 miles—surpassing the previous record set by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966.
The spacewalk commenced at 6:12 a.m. EDT (1012 GMT) on September 12, 2024, nearly four hours later than planned. Jared Isaacman exited first at 6:48 a.m. EDT (1048 GMT), followed by Sarah Gillis at 7:04 a.m. EDT (1104 GMT). Both astronauts conducted mobility checks while tethered to the spacecraft, offering live views of their groundbreaking activity. The Crew Dragon capsule was depressurized for the spacewalk as it lacks a pressurized airlock, exposing all four crew members to the vacuum of space. Although Isaacman and Gillis were the only ones to venture outside, Poteet and Menon also tested newly designed spacesuits.
The spacewalk lasted about two hours, with Isaacman and Gillis spending approximately ten minutes each outside the spacecraft. This achievement marked a significant step for commercial space exploration, showcasing SpaceX’s capabilities and the growing involvement of private citizens in space missions. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised the Polaris Dawn crew and SpaceX, acknowledging the mission’s success as a major leap forward for the commercial space industry and NASA’s future objectives.
The Polaris Dawn mission aimed to test technologies and procedures crucial for future space exploration, signifying hope for more long-duration missions. This triumph highlights the potential for private space travel, setting a precedent for future civilian missions and collaborative efforts between private companies and government space agencies.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/spacex-polaris-dawn-crew-create-history-by-performing-first-ever-civilian-spacewalk/articleshow/113330083.cms
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