In a big move for private space travel, two astronauts did the first-ever spacewalk paid for by a business on the Polaris Dawn trip.
They wore new slimmer SpaceX spacesuits. Billionaire Jared Isaacman put money into this project, hoping to explore new limits in space without needing the government.
The end goal? Cheaper and easier space trips.
Jared Isaacman Leads the Way in Private Space
Jared Isaacman, who is 41 years old, left the Crew Dragon capsule at 11:52 am BST on Thursday, Sept. 12. He flew around Earth at a speed of almost 30,000km/h and at a height of 435 miles.
Looking down at home he said, "We've got a lot of problems to fix down there. But from up here, Earth looks like a perfect world."
Isaacman hasn't started his space adventures yet. He was part of the first all-private crew in space back in 2021 with Inspiration4. This new mission with Polaris Dawn shows how private space companies are taking over from governments. The exact amount spent isn't known, but it likely took hundreds of millions of dollars to fund, according to Daily Mail.
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Sarah Gillis Tests New Space Suit
Also outside the spacecraft was Sarah Gillis, a 30-year-old engineer from SpaceX. This was her first time stepping out into space. She helped with movement tests for the new SpaceX suit which is less heavy than NASA suits.
With regards to why these spacesuits matter, people need to know if the new suit works well and keeps them safe in space.
The Crew Dragon capsule had no more air in it during the spacewalk. Any leftovers might float away. All four astronauts had to use their spacesuits for oxygen and to stay safe under pressure. This made the mission even harder but the new suits worked really well.
Private Companies Taking Over Space Travel
Before now, only big government agencies like NASA or China's space team did spacewalks called EVAs. But now SpaceX and other companies are leading in space travel.
Governments especially the U.S. are spending money on other things so it's up to these business leaders to keep space research going.
NASA asked SpaceX to help send astronauts to the moon again in the next 10 years including the first woman. SpaceX is building a huge and strong rocket called Starship. It might change how people explore space forever.
Pretty soon Starship could take long trips to the stars. Maybe even to Mars. So far four test flights happened and another one might happen in November.
Why is Polaris Dawn Mission Launched?
This mission goes on for five days with not just a spacewalk but also research that might help people who want to fly far away in deep space. Isaacman's team includes retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon. They're traveling through a dangerous zone called the Van Allen radiation belt. The reason? They're checking how space radiation hurts humans hoping to protect future astronauts.
According to The Guardian, Isaacman and Elon Musk share a big dream; one day more people can visit space at lower prices. SpaceX is working hard to get people back to the moon and maybe one day to Mars. The Polaris Dawn mission is really important because it shows great progress toward that future.
Big Moment for Private Space Travel
This spacewalk by Polaris Dawn happened during another huge time in space history. At the same moment, a record number of 19 astronauts were flying around Earth.
At the time, two cosmonauts and one US astronaut were on their way to the ISS via Russia's Soyuz rocket.
