Two people complete historic spacewalk on private space flight

Summary

For the first time ever, a civilian has completed a spacewalk, as part of the Polaris Dawn mission in collaboration with SpaceX. Billionaire Jared Isaacman and engineer Sarah Gillis became the first humans to perform a spacewalk from a commercial spacecraft. This historic event took place after delays due to weather, with a four-person crew, including medical officer Anna Manon and mission pilot Scott Petit. The mission also saw the debut of SpaceX's extra-vehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits, marking a significant milestone in the development of spacesuits for future Mars missions and long-duration space exploration.

Takeaways

• 🚀 A civilian completed a spacewalk for the first time ever, hundreds of miles above Earth's surface.
• 🌌 Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis became the first humans on a private spaceflight to walk in space as part of the Polaris Dawn mission.
• 🛰 The mission is in partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX, launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
• ⏳ The mission faced several delays due to unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the week.
• 🌠 Isaacman expressed excitement about flying on his favorite Dragon spacecraft, emphasizing the uniqueness of the mission.
• 👨‍🚀 The crew of four included Isaacman, Gillis, medical officer Anna Manon, and mission pilot Scott Petit.
• 🚀 At around 7 a.m., history was made as Isaacman and Gillis floated out during the spacewalk, while the other crew members remained inside the Dragon capsule.
• 🌌 The Dragon capsule has no airlock, exposing all four crew members to the vacuum of space during the spacewalk.
• 🛠 The Polaris mission also marked the first use of SpaceX's engineered Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) suits in space.
• 🪐 The development and testing of these EVA suits aim to support future missions to the Moon and Mars, including building a moon base and a city on Mars.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the Polaris Dawn mission?

The Polaris Dawn mission is historically significant as it marks the first spacewalk completed by civilians. Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, part of the mission, became the first private astronauts to step outside a spacecraft in space.

Who were the crew members aboard the Polaris Dawn mission?

The crew members aboard the Polaris Dawn mission included Jared Isaacman (billionaire and mission leader), Sarah Gillis (engineer), Anna Manon (medical officer), and Scott Petit (mission pilot).

Which spacecraft was used for the Polaris Dawn mission?

The spacecraft used for the Polaris Dawn mission was SpaceX's Dragon capsule.

Why was there a delay in the Polaris Dawn mission?

The Polaris Dawn mission faced delays due to unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the week, which caused the launch to be postponed for several days.

What was unique about the Dragon capsule during the mission?

The Dragon capsule used in the Polaris Dawn mission does not have an airlock, meaning all four crew members were exposed to the vacuum of space during the spacewalk.

What is the significance of the EVA spacesuits tested during this mission?

The EVA spacesuits tested during the Polaris Dawn mission are SpaceX-engineered and are significant for their potential use in future long-duration missions, including those to the Moon and Mars.

What role do EVA spacesuits play in future space exploration?

EVA spacesuits are essential for extra vehicular activities (spacewalks) and will be crucial for future space exploration, particularly for long-duration missions such as building a lunar base or establishing a city on Mars.

How does the Polaris Dawn mission contribute to future Mars missions?

The Polaris Dawn mission is a step toward future Mars missions by testing new technologies like the EVA spacesuits, which are vital for the success of long-term space endeavors like colonizing Mars.

What was the role of Anna Manon and Scott Petit during the mission?

Anna Manon served as the medical officer on the mission, while Scott Petit acted as the mission pilot. They were inside the Dragon capsule during the spacewalk, ensuring everything ran smoothly and according to plan.

What are the future goals related to space exploration mentioned in the mission?

The mission's future goals include the development of scalable spacesuit designs for long-duration space missions, particularly those aimed at establishing a base on the Moon and building a city on Mars.