The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission crew began the first-ever commercial spacewalk early Thursday.
Two crew members — commander Jared Isaacman and mission specialist Sarah Gillis — were expected to leave the Dragon spacecraft on the “extravehicular activity,” as SpaceX described it. Pilot Scott Poteet and mission specialist Anna Menon planned to stay inside the capsule to support the operation.
All crew members are now considered “spacewalkers” as the capsule was depressurized for the excursion, exposing all four crew to the vacuum of space.
This image from a SpaceX video shows the crew of the first private spacewalk led by tech billionaire Jared Isaacman inside the capsule, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
SpaceX via AP
The mission plan stated that Isaacman and Gillis would both leave the capsule for 10 minutes each. The astronauts will hold a handrail system — called Skywalker and on 8-foot tethers — significantly shorter than NASA’s spacewalkers have traditionally used.
This image from a SpaceX video shows the start of the first private spacewalk led by tech billionaire Jared Isaacman on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
AP
Isaacman and Gillis plan to “conduct a series of mobility tests in the newly designed SpaceX EVA suit” during the spacewalk, SpaceX said on its website, where the operation was broadcast live.
This image provided by SpaceX on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, shows a view of Earth and the Dragon capsule’s Skywalker spacewalk platform shortly after the Polaris Dawn crew was launched into orbit.
SpaceX via AP
The entire spacewalk is expected to take about two hours, SpaceX said.
ABC News’ Gina Sunseri contributed to this report.