A SpaceX capsule touched down in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida just before dawn. Onboard were billionaire Jared Isaacman, two SpaceX engineers, and a former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot.
Historic Spacewalk
The crew completed the first-ever private spacewalk while orbiting approximately 740 kilometers above Earth. This altitude surpasses both the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope.
The spacecraft reached a peak altitude of 1,408 kilometers following its launch on Tuesday. Isaacman became only the 264th person to conduct a spacewalk since the Soviet Union recorded the first spacewalk in 1965. SpaceX engineer Sara Gillis became the 265th individual to achieve this milestone.
Significance of the Mission
Until now, all spacewalks have been performed by professional astronauts. On Thursday, SpaceX achieved a historic first by conducting the inaugural spacewalk for a private crew. Two members of the Polaris Dawn mission exited their spacecraft in their white and gray suits, marking a significant moment in space exploration.
The Polaris Dawn mission, partially funded by Isaacman (41), represents a milestone in commercial space exploration.
Industry Reactions
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson quickly congratulated SpaceX, calling the achievement “a giant leap for the commercial space industry.” This historic event underscores the progress and potential of private space exploration.
