A crew of non-professional astronauts ventures outside a spacecraft for the first time. Innovative suits put to the test in the vacuum of space. SpaceX pushes the limits of space tourism.
In orbit around Earth at more than 435 miles (700 kilometers) altitude, two amateur astronauts experienced something unprecedented. The Polaris Dawn mission, initiated by Elon Musk's company SpaceX, marked a historic milestone for private space exploration.
On September 12, billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis exited the Crew Dragon capsule. They became the first non-professionals to undertake a spacewalk.
Outfitted in the new suits developed by SpaceX, they tested their endurance under extreme conditions. These suits are designed to withstand the vacuum and temperature variations of space. They remain tethered to the spacecraft by cords, ensuring a continuous oxygen supply and increased safety. The company hopes to eventually mass-produce these suits for its future missions.
The Polaris Dawn mission is not limited to this spacewalk. Other objectives include testing laser communication via Starlink satellites, as well as conducting 36 various scientific experiments.
The event caught NASA's attention, which hailed the achievement. NASA views this flight as a significant step toward a dynamic commercial space economy. The Polaris program, of which this mission is the first part, is set to continue with two more expeditions. SpaceX is already preparing for the next phase: a crewed flight aboard the mega-rocket Starship.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND