SpaceX Launches First Private Spacewalk Mission

SpaceX has successfully launched the Polaris Dawn mission, which aims to conduct the first-ever private spacewalk, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. The mission, featuring a crew that includes entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and SpaceX personnel, is set to reach altitudes of up to 870 miles, surpassing records from NASA's Apollo missions. The crew will undergo a two-day pre-breathe process to prepare for their spacewalk, planned for Thursday, while being exposed to the vacuum of space, raising safety concerns regarding the spacecraft's hatch and potential toxic exposure. This mission is considered the riskiest private space venture to date, as it involves untrained civilians undertaking a task previously reserved for professional astronauts. Despite earlier delays caused by equipment issues, SpaceX has addressed these challenges and proceeded with the launch, which took place from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.