For the First Time, Ordinary People Sent for Space Walk

For the First Time, Ordinary People Sent for Space Walk

Elon Musk's company SpaceX, using its Falcon 9 rocket, launched a historic mission at 2:54 PM IST, sending four private individuals into space. This mission marks the first time ordinary people, rather than professional astronauts, will attempt to perform a spacewalk beyond Earth's orbit.

The crew, aboard the "Crew Dragon" spacecraft, will attempt to reach an altitude higher than any human has gone since NASA's Apollo missions, specifically aiming for 1,400 kilometres above Earth. The mission, named Polaris Dawn, is set to break the record for the highest orbit ever achieved by a crewed spacecraft.

Mission Highlights:

Crew Members: The mission includes a mix of professionals and space enthusiasts, such as Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and experienced pilot, alongside Sarah Gillis, Anna Menon, and Scott Poteet.
Objective: The primary goal is to conduct research and experiments related to human health in space. Additionally, the crew will conduct the first commercial spacewalk, lasting about 2 hours, while orbiting the Earth.
Duration and Activities: The mission is expected to last 15 to 20 minutes outside the spacecraft for the spacewalk, which will take place approximately two days after launch.
Historical Significance: This mission is the first since 1972 to aim for an orbit beyond the International Space Station (ISS). The highest orbit currently maintained is about 420 kilometres by the ISS.

Launch and Mission Timeline:

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on September 12, marking the start of this groundbreaking mission.
Over the next few days, the crew will perform various experiments and push the boundaries of commercial spaceflight.

SpaceX’s mission exemplifies the company's commitment to expanding human presence beyond Earth and setting new benchmarks in space exploration. This mission is a significant step towards making space accessible to non-professional astronauts, symbolizing the potential for broader human participation in space exploration.