Jared Isaacman and his crew splash down in the Gulf of Mexico following a five-day mission that included the first private spacewalk, flying higher than the International Space Station.

After five days in orbit, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman returned to Earth alongside three other crew members following a groundbreaking SpaceX mission. Their Dragon capsule splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico just after 3:37 a.m. local time. Isaacman, who financed the mission, was joined by two SpaceX engineers and a former Air Force pilot on this historic journey.

The event was live-streamed by SpaceX, which celebrated the successful landing on X (formerly Twitter) with the message: “Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth.” The crew had reached heights surpassing NASA’s spaceflights to the moon, marking the highest altitude achieved by humans since the Apollo missions.

During the mission, the team conducted the first-ever private spacewalk, orbiting Earth at an altitude of 460 miles, higher than both the International Space Station (ISS) and the Hubble Space Telescope. Jared Isaacman became the 264th person in history to perform a spacewalk, and Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, followed as the 265th. This feat is particularly notable because all previous spacewalks had been conducted by professional astronauts.

The spacecraft reached a peak altitude of 875 miles after launching on Tuesday, further solidifying SpaceX’s role in advancing private space exploration. The spacewalk was one of the main objectives of the mission, which was part of the Polaris Dawn program—a privately financed initiative led by Isaacman to advance space technology and exploration.

In a live feed broadcasted back to Earth on Thursday, Isaacman commented on the experience, saying, “Back at home we all have a lot of work to do. But from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world.” The sentiment was echoed by the excitement at SpaceX’s Hawthorne headquarters, where staff erupted in applause when Isaacman emerged from the capsule.

The crew tested SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits, which were designed to protect astronauts during longer missions, such as potential future flights to Mars. Mission pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet and mission specialist Anna Menon remained inside the capsule to monitor life-support systems while Isaacman and Gillis carried out the spacewalk.

The Polaris Dawn mission also marked Isaacman’s second chartered flight with SpaceX, with another two missions already planned. These efforts are part of Isaacman’s personal quest to further space exploration. His first flight in 2021 took contest winners and a pediatric cancer survivor to space, raising millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The exact cost of Isaacman’s recent mission remains undisclosed.

SpaceX’s mission wasn’t just about spacewalks; it laid the groundwork for future missions aimed at testing equipment and protocols for longer, more complex space endeavours. The crew’s use of tethered spacewalk techniques and suit testing reflects the broader goals of preparing humanity for the next phase of space exploration—particularly Mars.

Analysis:

Political Impact:

Isaacman’s SpaceX mission underscores the growing significance of the private space sector in what has historically been a government-dominated field. Private missions like Polaris Dawn exemplify a new era of space diplomacy and competition. This mission, the first private spacewalk, sets a precedent that not only showcases technological advancements but also highlights the possibility of commercial space exploration becoming an integral part of global space policies.

Governments may need to reconsider regulations and policies surrounding space privatization and space tourism, as companies like SpaceX continue to push boundaries. The involvement of private billionaires like Jared Isaacman signals a shift in how space programs are funded and managed, creating the potential for public-private partnerships in future space missions.

Social Impact:

The significance of this mission goes beyond technology and politics—it taps into the social imagination of space as the final frontier. By making space accessible to non-professional astronauts, the Polaris Dawn mission paves the way for ordinary citizens to dream of space travel. Isaacman’s choice to involve non-professionals and raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital during his first flight reflects the power of space exploration to inspire social causes and engage the broader public.

This mission also highlights the continued evolution of space tourism. While still expensive and exclusive, the rise of commercial space ventures indicates that space travel might become more accessible in the future, potentially impacting public perception of science, technology, and the environment.

Economic Impact:

Isaacman’s second private space mission underscores the economic potential of commercial space exploration. The Polaris Dawn program, supported by private financing, marks a trend where space missions are increasingly bankrolled by private individuals rather than governments. This creates opportunities for the space industry to become a highly lucrative market, with private companies leading the charge in space innovation.

The advancements in space technologies, particularly spacesuit development and tethered spacewalks, lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars and other celestial bodies. With SpaceX driving technological innovation, the company stands to secure its place as a key player in both commercial and governmental space missions. As the industry evolves, economic opportunities for manufacturing, technology development, and space logistics will continue to expand, potentially influencing sectors far beyond aerospace.

Environmental Impact:

Space exploration missions, like Polaris Dawn, often bring environmental consciousness to the forefront, as astronauts witness Earth’s fragility from above. Isaacman’s observation that Earth “looks like a perfect world” from space draws attention to the environmental challenges faced by the planet. Space missions serve as a reminder of climate change and the importance of preserving Earth’s ecosystems, as astronauts gain a unique perspective of Earth’s atmosphere and the finite resources available to humanity.

As space exploration technology advances, there are also concerns about the impact of space missions on the environment, such as the debris left in Earth’s orbit and the energy required for space launches. Balancing the benefits of space exploration with environmental sustainability will likely become an important issue as commercial space missions become more frequent.

Gender Impact:

The inclusion of Sarah Gillis as one of the key figures in the first private spacewalk represents a significant step toward gender diversity in space exploration. Historically, space missions have been male-dominated, but this mission marks a notable shift. By giving women the opportunity to take part in high-profile space missions, SpaceX and other private space ventures are helping to break down gender barriers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.

Gillis’ involvement, along with that of other female astronauts, reflects a growing emphasis on inclusion and diversity within space missions. The commercial space sector may further encourage gender equity as private companies seek to tap into diverse talent pools for future missions.