A billionaire’s historic spacewalk has been delayed for several hours after a last-minute announcement by SpaceX. Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, along with his crew, had been gearing up for what was set to be the first private spacewalk. The crew had launched into orbit on Tuesday, embarking on a five-day mission, but they will now need to wait a bit longer to commence their spacewalk due to unforeseen delays.
Originally scheduled to start on Thursday, the spacewalk was postponed just an hour before its planned kickoff. SpaceX, which is responsible for the mission’s spacecraft, provided a brief update via X (formerly Twitter), stating that “all systems are looking good,” but did not immediately offer a detailed explanation for the delay.
Isaacman, who is known for his involvement in various space ventures, had planned to take part in the spacewalk alongside a SpaceX engineer. The two would alternate in stepping out of their capsule while remaining tethered close to the hatch, as part of the mission’s aim to test new spacesuits designed for commercial space exploration. Meanwhile, the other two crew members would remain secured in their seats within the spacecraft.
This mission marks a significant milestone in private space exploration, as Isaacman and his team are working with SpaceX to advance the capabilities of commercial spacewalks. The new spacesuits, which are being tested during this mission, represent a step forward in the technology required for future private space endeavors.
Despite the delay, the mission’s objective to test these new suits and further commercial space exploration remains a key focus. As preparations continue, the team’s anticipation and readiness to perform this groundbreaking activity remain high.