Space history is about to be made, and you can be part of it by watching the Polaris Dawn crew perform the first private spacewalk ever attempted. Scheduled for early Thursday, Sept. 12, this pioneering spacewalk, known as extravehicular activity (EVA), will feature two astronauts from SpaceX’s four-member Polaris Dawn mission.
Jared Isaacman, the mission commander, and Sarah Gillis, SpaceX’s lead space operations engineer, will step outside the spacecraft, marking a milestone in private space exploration. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Polaris Dawn mission has already made waves, but this EVA promises to be a groundbreaking event.
Key Details for Watching the Spacewalk Live
The spacewalk is set to begin around 2:23 a.m. EDT (0623 GMT) on Thursday, Sept. 12. Fans of space exploration can catch the action live via SpaceX’s official streams or on popular outlets like Space.com. Coverage is scheduled to kick off around 1:20 a.m. EDT (0520 GMT), offering viewers a front-row seat to this historic moment.
The EVA is expected to last approximately two hours, starting with the venting of the Crew Dragon capsule and concluding with repressurization. This means the astronauts will be exposed to the vacuum of space, testing their mettle in a true space environment.
Mission Overview: What Makes This Spacewalk Special?
While spacewalks have long been part of NASA’s operations, this is the first time a private crew will perform an EVA, pushing the boundaries of commercial spaceflight. Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis are not only tasked with conducting the spacewalk, but they’ll also be testing SpaceX’s new EVA suits, a critical development for future missions.
Unlike NASA missions, which utilize airlocks, the Crew Dragon capsule doesn’t have an airlock. Instead, the entire interior will be exposed to the vacuum of space during the EVA. As a result, all four crew members—Isaacman, Gillis, Anna Menon, and Scott “Kidd” Poteet—will wear specially designed EVA suits. However, only Isaacman and Gillis will leave the capsule.
Sequential Exit Plan for Safety
The Polaris Dawn spacewalk will take a cautious approach, with Isaacman and Gillis exiting the spacecraft one at a time, rather than simultaneously. Each astronaut will spend about 15 to 20 minutes outside the capsule, tethered at all times to the newly installed “Skywalker” handrails on the Crew Dragon. This approach ensures safety, as both astronauts will maintain physical contact with the spacecraft during their time outside.
Commander Jared Isaacman emphasized the importance of this tethered approach, saying, “We’re not just going to be floating around,” during a pre-launch briefing on Aug. 26.
Why This EVA is a Milestone for SpaceX
The primary objective of this spacewalk is to test SpaceX’s next-generation EVA suits, which are designed for a variety of missions beyond Earth’s orbit. These suits represent a leap forward for private space exploration, potentially paving the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Isaacman reflected on the significance of this moment, explaining, “It might be 10 iterations from now, with a bunch of evolutions of the suit, but someday, someone could be wearing a version of this suit while walking on Mars. It’s a huge honor to have the opportunity to test it out on this flight.”
SpaceX’s commitment to developing advanced spacesuits is just one part of their broader ambition to lead in commercial space exploration. These EVA suits could one day be used in long-term missions, including crewed journeys to Mars—an exciting possibility that continues to drive the progress of SpaceX and its partners.
How to Watch and What to Expect
If you’re interested in seeing this pivotal moment in space history, be sure to tune in early. The live stream coverage begins at 1:20 a.m. EDT (0520 GMT) on Thursday, Sept. 12, giving space enthusiasts a chance to experience the full buildup to the EVA. Expect to see the entire process unfold, from capsule venting to the astronauts stepping outside into the vast expanse of space.
The EVA itself is anticipated to last around two hours. As Isaacman and Gillis perform their spacewalk, they will demonstrate the functionality and endurance of the new EVA suits, adding valuable data for future missions. This event is more than just a thrilling spectacle—it’s a step forward in the evolution of private space travel.
The Future of Spacewalks in Commercial Space Exploration
This mission isn’t just about pushing boundaries for Polaris Dawn, but also for the future of commercial spaceflight. As companies like SpaceX move toward more ambitious goals, including sending humans to Mars, testing EVA suits and technology becomes crucial.
Polaris Dawn is the first of many steps toward that future. By testing these suits in Earth orbit, SpaceX is setting the stage for the next era of exploration—one where private companies are at the forefront of space innovation. Whether you’re a casual observer or a dedicated space enthusiast, this mission offers a glimpse of what lies ahead in humanity’s quest to explore the cosmos.
Conclusion: A Historic Moment You Can’t Miss
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission is rewriting the rules of space exploration with this unprecedented private spacewalk. With Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis leading the charge, this mission showcases the potential of commercial space travel. Make sure to mark your calendars and tune in live to witness history unfold on Sept. 12. As space exploration continues to evolve, moments like this remind us that the final frontier is closer than ever before.
