Two passengers on board a private SpaceX mission completed a spacewalk about 700km above Earth on Thursday, floating their way into the history books as the first civilians to perform the daring stunt.
Billionaire Jared Isaacman was the first to exit the Dragon capsule at 2.50pm, UAE time, while attached to a safety tether, to test the mobility of the new spacesuit designed by SpaceX for this five-day Polaris Dawn mission, which launched on Tuesday.
SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis carried out her spacewalk after Mr Isaacman, chief executive of payment processing firm Shift4, re-entered the spacecraft.
US Air Force Lt Col Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon, who are also part of the mission, were also exposed to the vaccum of space when the hatch was opened.
“Back at home we all have a lot of work to do but from here, it sure looks like a perfect world.” Mr Isaacman, chief executive of payment processing firm Shift4, said as he emerged from the hatch to breathtaking views of the planet.
Both spent about 14 minutes outside of the hatch testing the suits and so mission control could gather data on it.
Polaris Dawn is SpaceX's fifth private mission, with one milestone already achieved after the spacecraft carried passengers to an altitude of 1,400km.
Dr Dimitra Atri, astrophysicist at the New York University Abu Dhabi, told The National that this mission was crucial for future deep space missions.
“SpaceX has ambitious plans to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars,” he said.
“This EVA (spacewalk) is a critical step in testing the capabilities of their space suit in outer space, demonstrating their ability to independently conduct private astronaut missions.”
He said that Polaris Dawn was also important for studying the effects of radiation on astronauts as they pass through the Van Allen radiation belt.
These are regions in space where charged particles surround Earth because they trapped by its magnetic field, which can pose risks to satellites and astronauts.
“Radiation is the biggest roadblock to human crewed missions to Mars,” said Dr Atri.
On Wednesday, the capsule began gradually descending to enable the passengers to perform the spacewalk.
Spacewalks have traditionally been carried out by highly trained astronauts who undergo extensive preparation, often using underwater simulations to mimic the weightlessness of space.
These missions typically take place at altitudes of about 400km above Earth, usually at the International Space Station and China's Tiangong space station.
The EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) and Russian Orlan spacesuits, which are still worn by Nasa, European and Russian astronauts, are bulky and are designed for extended spacewalks but with limited flexibility.
Nasa astronauts have often complained that they are outdated and prevent movements while performing important maintenance tasks outside of the International Space Station.
SpaceX’s suits for the Polaris Dawn mission were designed to be sleek, lightweight and modern to reflect advancements in materials and design.
Testing the suits were critical for future deep space missions, as technology is being developed to transport humans to the Moon and beyond.
Anna Hazlett, founder of AzurX - a UAE-based space advisory and investment firm, told The National that this mission was a welcome boost to the private space sector.
“This is a pivotal moment in space exploration as it signifies the growing accessibility of space, showcasing how private citizens — not just professional astronauts, can now engage in complex missions,” she said.
“As space tourism evolves, Polaris Dawn could set the precedent for more immersive experiences, where future tourists might not just orbit the Earth but also step into the vastness of space itself.”
The mission was first announced in 2022 as part of the broader Polaris programme, funded by Mr Isaacman.
The passengers will also test SpaceX’s Starlink communication system in space for the first time tomorrow in a live demonstration.
They are expected to splashdown off the coast of Florida on Sunday.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
