Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis have made history by completing the first-ever commercial spacewalk, sporting newly designed, less-bulky spacesuits from SpaceX. This groundbreaking mission took place at an altitude of approximately 700 km, further from Earth than any human has been since the Apollo Moon missions.
The Polaris Dawn mission, funded by Isaacman, is a notable milestone for commercial spaceflight. Unlike previous space tourism ventures, this mission contributes to scientific knowledge. The mission tested new spacesuits for extravehicular activity (EVA) and traveled through high-radiation regions, conducting 36 experiments focused on the effects of spaceflight on the human body.
Polaris Dawn is the first of three planned missions by Isaacman and SpaceX aimed at advancing human space exploration. The second mission may enhance the Hubble Space Telescope’s orbit, while the third could utilize SpaceX’s reusable Starship rocket. Despite criticisms of commercial space travel, the mission underscores the importance of private companies in cutting costs and driving technological advancements essential for future space endeavors.
