SpaceX crew performs first-ever commercial spacewalk

A SpaceX crew has performed the first-ever commercial spacewalk .

Jared Isaacman, mission commander and funder, and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis were given the honor of the historic event, with the former venturing out of the Crew Dragon capsule first. The live-streamed walk occurred 430 miles above the Earth, the furthest away from the planet humans have been in 50 years, and lasted from 6:12 a.m. EDT to 7:58 a.m. EDT.

Isaacman and Gillis were tethered to the capsule and ventured outside for about 10 minutes. Though the other two crew members didn't venture out, they were exposed to the vacuum of space, as the small craft didn't have an airlock.

“SpaceX, back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world,” Isaacman said during the walk.

SpaceX and the Polaris Dawn crew have completed the first commercial spacewalk!

“SpaceX, back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world.” — Mission Commander @rookisaacman during Dragon egress and seeing our planet from ~738 km pic.twitter.com/lRczSv5i4k

The Polaris Dawn mission was intended to test out new technology, such as the newly designed spacesuits, for future space flights.

"Dragon’s cabin pressure will slowly lower to vacuum prior to hatch opening," SpaceX's website reads. "Once opened, all four crewmembers will be exposed to the vacuum of space. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman (EV1) will exit Dragon, perform a series of mobility tests in the newly-designed SpaceX EVA suit, and return to Dragon’s cabin. Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis (EV2) will perform the same series of actions and, after re-entering Dragon, close the spacecraft’s hatch. Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon will monitor vital support systems throughout the operation."

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CEO Elon Musk issued his own congratulations to the team.

Congratulations @SpaceX Dragon team, @rookisaacman and the crew of @PolarisProgram ! https://t.co/gOr0lEW24B

The Dragon spacecraft can carry up to seven passengers and has been launched 47 times.