The SpaceX commercial spacewalk was completed on September 12, 2024, marking a significant turning point in the history of space travel. The crew of the Polaris Dawn mission made history on the third day of their five-day trip around Earth’s orbit. Polaris Dawn’s crew included captain Jared Isaacman, mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, and pilot Scott Kidd Poteet. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where Apollo 11 lifted off, hosted SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch on September 10.
Polaris Dawn reached a new high point of 870 miles during its mission, beating Gemini 11’s previous record. The Crew Dragon Resilience ship then went down 458 miles to make room for the spacewalk. While SpaceX recorded, Isaacman and Gillis evaluated their mobility after exiting the capsule at different times. More than two hours passed while they were in space. It was a big deal that SpaceX tested its brand-new EVA suits. SpaceX will use these suits on future flights, including trips to Mars. Known as “fabric suits of armor,” they are designed to be flexible and safe for space travel.
Polaris Dawn also has a Crew Dragon ship with a Skywalker hatch for simpler spacewalks. It also tests a new laser transmission gadget coupled to SpaceX’s Starlink satellites to improve space communication. While on the trip, the team worked on 36 science projects from 31 schools. This knowledge will benefit NASA’s Human Research Program. These researches examine radiation’s effects on the body and how innovative technology can collect biological data, supporting SpaceX’s commercial spacewalk mission.
With Isaacman’s funding, Polaris Dawn aims to push the boundaries of human spaceflight while raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The mission will conclude with a return to Earth, marking the end of one of the most ambitious SpaceX commercial spacewalk in history.
