First all-civilian spacewalk conducted by Polaris Dawn crew

On June 3, 1965, NASA astronaut Ed White conducted the first U.S. spacewalk, inspiring future missions. Recently, the Polaris Dawn crew, led by Jared Isaacman, performed the first all-civilian spacewalk, testing new SpaceX-designed pressure suits intended for future civilian astronauts on the Moon and Mars. The spacewalk began at 6:12 a.m. EDT, with Isaacman and crew member Sarah Gillis emerging from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to assess the comfort and mobility of their suits while tethered to the spacecraft. During the EVA, they executed a series of movements to evaluate the suits' performance, including a heads-up display and joint mobility features. Isaacman emphasized the importance of developing affordable EVA suits for mass production, as future missions to Mars will require astronauts to operate effectively in these environments. The crew's activities were closely monitored by fellow crewmates Anna Menon and Scott Poteet from inside the capsule. The mission, which is SpaceX's fifth commercial Crew Dragon flight, aims to gather data on suit performance, including pressure, temperature, humidity, and oxygen usage. Isaacman and Gillis avoided free-floating to focus on practical tasks and suit functionality. The innovative design of the suits is expected to inform future developments in space exploration attire. This mission is part of a broader effort to prepare for human activities on Mars, where astronauts will need to navigate and perform essential tasks in challenging conditions. The successful execution of this spacewalk marks a significant milestone in civilian space exploration and the ongoing evolution of space travel technology.