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Four US civilians are set to attempt the first-ever private spacewalk on Thursday\u2014a risky endeavor usually reserved for trained astronauts from government agencies.<\/p>\n
The ambitious mission, dubbed Polaris Dawn, is being carried out on a SpaceX capsule that launched early Tuesday from Florida.<\/p>\n
Who are the select few to pioneer this new chapter of space exploration?<\/p>\n
The driving force behind the mission is Jared Isaacman, a billionaire who serves as mission commander.<\/p>\n
The 41-year-old American from Pennsylvania is the CEO of the digital finance company Shift4 Payments, which he founded in his family’s basement when he was only 16.<\/p>\n
Isaacman is a seasoned pilot who is qualified to fly military aircraft and holds several world records.<\/p>\n
He had previously gone into space in 2021 as part of another SpaceX mission he chartered, Inspiration4, which was the first orbital spacecraft to feature no professional astronauts.<\/p>\n
His lifelong passion for space exploration aligns with SpaceX’s stated goal of making humankind a “multi-planet species.”<\/p>\n
“Throughout Earth’s history, there have been periods when humans, had we existed, would have been wiped out,” Isaacman wrote on X in August. “If there’s a technical path to ensuring humanity’s survival…it seems irresponsible not to pursue it.”<\/p>\n
Isaacman is married with two daughters.<\/p>\n
For the first time, SpaceX has sent two of its own employees into space.<\/p>\n
Sarah Gillis, 30, oversees astronaut training for SpaceX, and had trained Isaacman for his Inspiration4 mission.<\/p>\n
Her husband also works for Elon Musk’s company, having helped develop the propulsion system for the spacecraft used in Polaris Dawn.<\/p>\n
Anna Menon, 38, worked for NASA before joining SpaceX.<\/p>\n
She wrote a children’s book about space titled “Kisses from Space” that she will read an excerpt from during the mission. Proceeds from the book go to support a children’s hospital.<\/p>\n
Her husband Anil Menon was selected to be an astronaut by NASA in 2021, but unlike his spouse, he has yet to go to space.<\/p>\n
The last Polaris Dawn participant is Scott Poteet, a US Air Force veteran who enjoys completing triathlons in his spare time.<\/p>\n
Poteet flew combat aircraft for 20 years, including as part of the esteemed Thunderbirds air aerobatic patrol.<\/p>\n
He serves as the mission’s pilot, given his professional experience.<\/p>\n
Poteet is also a close friend of Isaacman’s, having worked for several of the billionaire’s companies.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho is on SpaceX’s historic private spacewalk mission? (2024, September 10)
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