In a historic event, SpaceX achieved its first private spacewalk with the « Polaris Dawn » mission on September 12, 2024. During a live broadcast, two crew members exited the Dragon spacecraft for a brief extravehicular activity (EVA). The success of this first private spacewalk paves the way for future commercial missions.
New milestone in space exploration
Fifty years ago, the Apollo mission marked the pinnacle of public space exploration, but the success of Polaris Dawn demonstrates the private sector’s ability to push the boundaries of human space exploration. The first private spacewalk also sets records in terms of altitude. The Dragon spacecraft ventured up to 1,400 km above Earth, an unprecedented distance since the Apollo lunar missions. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised this achievement, calling it a « giant leap for the commercial space industry ».
Live broadcast of the feat
Billionaire Jared Isaacman, commander of the mission, was the first to emerge, offering spectacular images of Earth from an altitude of 700 km, well beyond the International Space Station (ISS). Engineer Sarah Gillis then joined him to assess the new spacesuits developed by SpaceX.
Their spacewalk lasted approximately ten minutes before they re-entered the spacecraft. The operation lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, without technical complications. Unlike traditional spacewalks, the Dragon capsule does not have an airlock, exposing all crew members to the vacuum of space during the hatch opening. The Dragon capsule also had two other passengers, pilot Scott Poteet and SpaceX personnel Anna Menon.
Cutting-edge spacesuits
The spacesuits used during this mission represent a major technological advancement from SpaceX. Inspired by existing suits used inside the spacecraft, these derivatives are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and provide better mobility.
Each spacesuit is equipped with cameras and a display system integrated into the helmet, providing real-time information on pressure, temperature, and humidity. Elon Musk’s space company plans to produce these suits on a large scale. According to Jared Isaacman, these versions could one day be worn on Mars.
Technologies for the future of space exploration
Polaris Dawn also offers an opportunity to test new communication technologies. In collaboration with the Starlink satellite constellation, laser communication between the spacecraft and satellites will be evaluated. This technology could revolutionize space communications and provide a stable internet connection from space.
The astronauts will also conduct 36 scientific experiments, including studies in physiology. One of the most intriguing experiments involves using special contact lenses to measure intraocular pressure, an essential aspect of astronaut health during extended space missions.
Polaris program : Series of 3 missions
Polaris Dawn is the first mission of the Polaris program, a series of three missions funded by Jared Isaacman. The main goal is to accelerate space exploration using private funding. The American billionaire is convinced that private sector involvement is crucial for accelerating innovations in the space field.
The second Polaris mission will be similar to Polaris Dawn, involving a high-altitude flight and advanced technology tests. The third mission, however, promises to be historic, featuring the first crewed flight of Starship, the mega-rocket developed by SpaceX. This spacecraft is designed to transport passengers to the Moon and eventually to Mars.
SpaceX’s involvement in space exploration does not stop here. Founder Elon Musk has long expressed his ambition to make humanity a multi-planetary species. Polaris Dawn is just another step towards this ultimate goal. By developing advanced technologies such as spacesuits and laser communications, SpaceX aims to make interstellar travel accessible to a broader audience.
