Thu Sep 12 00:15:35 UTC 2024: ## SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Mission: First Commercial Spacewalk to Take Place Today
**CAPE CANAVERAL, FL** – SpaceX’s highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission will culminate in a historic event today as two private astronauts will perform the first-ever commercial spacewalk. The spacewalk, originally planned for earlier this morning, will begin at 4:55 a.m. ET and can be viewed live on SpaceX’s social media channels.
Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, two of the four crew members on the mission, will exit the Crew Dragon spacecraft in newly designed SpaceX spacesuits, which could eventually be used for lunar and Martian missions. The spacewalk is a unique challenge as the Crew Dragon doesn’t have an airlock, requiring the other two crew members, Scott Poteet and Anna Menon, to also wear the specialized suits for their own protection.
The mission, which launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, has already broken records by taking humans farther from Earth than any mission since the Apollo program. The crew is also conducting various scientific experiments, including human health research run by the Translational Research Institute for Space Health at Baylor College of Medicine.
“This mission is a testament to SpaceX’s commitment to pushing boundaries and paving the way for future space exploration,” said a SpaceX spokesperson. “The commercial spacewalk represents a significant step towards making space accessible to more people and unlocking new possibilities for scientific discovery.”
The spacewalk is expected to last approximately 20 minutes for each astronaut. Isaacman will exit first, followed by Gillis. SpaceX plans to provide a live stream of the event for all to witness this historic moment.
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