The spectacle of spacewalks, those breathtaking moments where humans venture beyond the safety of their spacecraft, encapsulates some of the most thrilling yet perilous endeavors in space exploration. However, not every spacewalk unfolds as smoothly as planned; astronauts have faced the ordeal of being trapped in airlocks, the mishap of losing critical tools, and even the terrifying prospect of drowning within their own suits.
The upcoming SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission is poised to etch another milestone in the annals of commercial spaceflight: the first spacewalk by a private individual. Billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has significantly financed the mission, is set to make history as the first non-professional astronaut to perform a private spacewalk, stepping out from SpaceX’s Dragon capsule into the void.
This mission plans to soar to an altitude of approximately 870 miles (1,400km), marking the highest crewed orbit since the Apollo era over half a century ago. Isaacman’s spacewalk will occur at a slightly lower orbit of about 434 miles (700km). He’ll be joined by SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, both donning SpaceX’s innovative spacesuits complete with helmet displays and cameras.
A unique challenge for this mission is the absence of an airlock in the Crew Dragon; the entire cabin must be depressurized for the spacewalk, heightening the risk for everyone aboard due to the new suit technology.
Should everything proceed without a hitch, this spacewalk will add to the gallery of iconic space moments, where astronauts, protected by mere layers of fabric, confront the vastness of space. From the claustrophobia of stuck airlocks to the near-drowning experiences inside a spacesuit, the history of Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) is rich with drama. Here’s a glimpse into some of the most memorable EVAs since Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov first floated outside his spacecraft nearly 60 years ago.
During the peak of the Cold War’s Space Race, the Soviet Union was consistently ahead of the United States in achieving monumental space milestones. They launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, sent the first animal into orbit, and in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.
On March 18, 1965, the USSR added another feather to its cap by conducting the first spacewalk. Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov stepped out of the Voskhod 2 spacecraft via an inflatable airlock, tethered by an umbilical cord, and floated in the void of space for 12 minutes.
However, this historic event was not without its challenges. Leonov’s spacesuit, designed to maintain internal pressure, ballooned in the vacuum of space, making his movements and the act of photography cumbersome. Additionally, the tether that was supposed to keep him safely connected to the spacecraft twisted, causing him to spin uncontrollably, which complicated his re-entry into the spacecraft.
, marking the highest crewed orbit since the Apollo era over half a century ago. Isaacman's spacewalk will occur at a slightly lower orbit of about 434 miles (700km). He'll be joined by SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, both donning SpaceX's innovative spacesuits complete with helmet displays and cameras.){kind=link}