Planning Your Next Holiday? How About A Spacewalk?
Space tourism is no longer a distant dream! SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew has returned to Earth after a historic five-day mission, including the world’s first commercial spacewalk. Discover the groundbreaking journey that brings space exploration closer to the general public.
Are you dreaming of your next vacation? Thinking of sun-soaked beaches, lush mountains, or perhaps a historic city break? Well, let me suggest something a little out of this world—quite literally. Imagine heading to space for your next adventure! Yes, you read that right. And while we won’t delve into the hefty price tag, it’s time to consider the possibility that space could be your next stop. This far-fetched fantasy has come a step closer to reality with SpaceX‘s latest achievement. The Polaris Dawn crew has recently returned to Earth after an extraordinary five days in orbit, marking a milestone with the world’s first commercial spacewalk.
In the early hours of the morning, the Dragon capsule made its dramatic splashdown off the coast of Florida, at precisely 03:37 local time (07:37 GMT). A live broadcast from SpaceX captured the moment, with the world glued to their screens. “Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” tweeted SpaceX on its social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
NASA hailed the mission as “a giant leap forward” for the burgeoning commercial space industry. And indeed, it was.
A Historic Spacewalk
The team, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, featured a group of civilian adventurers who ventured further into space than any humans have in over fifty years. Alongside Isaacman were Scott Poteet, a retired US Air Force pilot, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Together, they became pioneers, with Isaacman and Gillis achieving the honour of being the first non-professional crew to perform a spacewalk.
Prior to this mission, only astronauts from government-funded space agencies had attempted such a risky manoeuvre. Depressurising their crew compartment and stepping out into the void of space, Isaacman and Gillis floated 435 miles (700km) above Earth—a scene breathtakingly captured by live cameras.
As Dragon doesn’t have an airlock, the crew was exposed to the vacuum of space during their daring spacewalk, made possible by cutting-edge astronaut suits packed with new technology. The mission’s altitude of 1,400km (870 miles) made it the highest human flight since Apollo’s final mission in 1972. A truly staggering feat!
Five Days Among the Stars
For five days, the Polaris Dawn crew orbited the Earth in the Dragon spacecraft, aptly named Resilience. During their mission, they undertook more than 40 experiments, many of which focused on how space travel affects human health. The crew also tested inter-satellite laser communication between their spacecraft and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network—a fascinating glimpse into the future of in-space connectivity.
One of the more light-hearted, yet equally impressive, moments came when Sarah Gillis, a trained violinist, performed Rey’s Theme from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Her performance was beamed back to Earth, showcasing the Starlink network’s capability, and providing a unique intergalactic concert. This beautiful gesture was part of a broader fundraising effort for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause the Polaris Program supported throughout the mission.
A Glimpse into the Future
As the crew splashed down safely and the capsule was retrieved, the success of Polaris Dawn signified more than just a thrilling adventure. It was the first of three planned missions under the Polaris Program, a collaboration between Jared Isaacman and SpaceX, designed to push the boundaries of commercial space exploration.
The next step? Manned flights aboard SpaceX’s new rocket, Starship, which is still in development but holds the promise of making space tourism more than a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for billionaires.
The Final Frontier Awaits
Space tourism may seem like the stuff of science fiction, but with milestones like Polaris Dawn, it’s becoming an exciting reality. While we may not all be booking our next getaway to the stars just yet, it’s clear that space exploration is no longer the exclusive domain of government space agencies.
So, next time you’re daydreaming about your holiday plans, perhaps think a little bigger. With the advancements in commercial space travel, who knows—your next destination could be among the stars. Fancy that!
Adopted from an article in BBC. Click HERE for original article.
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