This Thursday, September 12, 2024, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gills, two astronauts on SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, performed the very first private spacewalk in the history of space.
The opportunity to look back in pictures at this incredible and historic event which took place before our eyes and at an altitude of almost 700 kilometers.
Polaris Dawn, a record mission
Beyond being the first and, so far, the only private mission in history to have allowed its members to perform an extravehicular activity, Polaris Dawn has also broken several records.
Indeed, when it was put into orbit by the Falcon 9, the Dragon capsule rose to an altitude of 1,400 kilometers. In space, this is relatively low. However, this is the first time that a human being has climbed so high in space since the last mission of the Apollo program in 1972.
At 738 kilometers (458 miles) above sea level, Jared Isaacman performed the highest spacewalk ever performed in low Earth orbit. More than 300 kilometers (186 miles) higher than the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), who continually orbit at an altitude of around 400 kilometers (250 miles). His teammate, Sarah Gills, performed a spacewalk at an altitude of 610 kilometers (380 miles).
It actually ranks second in the ranking of the highest spacewalk ever performed in low Earth orbit.
Images from the Polaris Dawn mission
In the same way as the program missions Apollo have been filmed or, more recently, all spacewalks carried out outside the ISS have also been filmed, Space X has also filmed this historic moment in space history.
The airlock is about to open for the mission's astronauts
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
Jared Isaacman rushes out of the capsule
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
Earth seen through the eyes of Jared Isaacman
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
Jared Isaacman and Earth in the background
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
Sarah Gills' turn to take the plunge
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
Sarah Gills and the Deep Space Behind Her
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
End of the EVA and relief for the team
photo credit: SpaceX / NASASpaceFlight
This moment of space history was experienced all over the world and the images have not finished raining down. So to live or relive this historic moment, do not hesitate to find the replay of the very first private spacewalk in history from the NASASpaceFlight YouTube channel or from the SpaceX Twitter account.
Watch Dragon's first spacewalk with the @PolarisProgram's Polaris Dawn crew https://t.co/svdJRkGN7K
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 12, 2024
The objectives of the mission
In addition to achieving this feat, Polaris Dawn also aims to conduct several medical-related tests during the mission. Indeed, their “specifications” mainly include medical experiments that aim to study the effects of long space travel on the human body.
But also, the effects of radiation on “human biological systems“. It is therefore not just about having fun going as high and as far as possible. This crucial data will notably allow us to prepare future missions to a neighbouring red planet: Mars.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
