In a groundbreaking display of cosmic courage, Jared Isaacman became the first human to take a private spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission, where his spacesuit apparently passed the 'pretty good' test.

The Polaris Dawn mission marks a significant leap in space exploration as Isaacman and his fellow astronaut Sarah Gillis ventured out of their SpaceX Dragon capsule—sans airlock—into the icy abyss of space to test innovative new spacesuits intended for future Mars missions. With this audacious endeavor, which was slightly delayed and involved some serious safety checks (because who doesn’t want to double-check that whole 'surviving the vacuum of space' thing?), Isaacman not only pioneered private spacewalking but also provided Ohioans with something far better: a reason to brag about their state’s greatest export since the Wright brothers.

The Polaris Dawn mission is not just a cosmic joyride; it is the inaugural mission of a trilogy under the Polaris Program, all funded by Isaacman himself. The mission aims to conduct nearly 40 scientific experiments, including eyebrow-raising studies on human reactions to long space trips—because what’s better than realizing your body can survive months of space snacks and extreme boredom? As if that wasn’t enough, the mission is intended to test innovative technologies that may very well facilitate crewed trips to Mars. So, basically, if your backyard barbecue next summer is suddenly interrupted by a rocket launch to the red planet, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

But let’s rewind to the setup: the SpaceX Dragon capsule, which launched into the great unknown from Cape Canaveral, Florida, came equipped with a nifty feature—or lack thereof—as it turns out. It has no airlock. So, when Isaacman and Gillis opened the hatch to embark on their bold escapade, the crew was abruptly met with the delightful characteristics of outer space: reliable vacuum and zero atmospheric pressure. It was a calculated risk, or perhaps the universe’s way of reminding them that life support is not to be taken lightly. They performed rigorous safety checks, because apparently spacewalks without a backup plan are not the ideal way to ensure you make it back for dinner.

With the mission delayed by about four hours—some might call that a minor inconvenience, while others might refer to it as 'standard cosmic bureaucracy'—the duo finally stepped outside their capsule. For Isaacman, the experience was considerably more than simply testing spacesuits; it was a wild chance to take a selfie with the Earth looking down in peaceful blue glory. He eloquently described the view, noting, 'Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here Earth sure looks like a perfect world.' A sentiment we can all get behind, especially while stuck in traffic on a Tuesday afternoon.

During the two-hour spacewalk, the pair had the opportunity to assess the mobility of their seemingly fancy spacesuits. Each spiked with a delightful mix of advanced technology and, perhaps, a dash of astronautical swag, these suits were put to the test. Gillis was overheard casually remarking that her spacesuit performed 'pretty good,' which could be interpreted as either high praise or merely satisfaction with the absence of any major wardrobe malfunctions while careening through the void.

Even in the lofty stratosphere of space exploration, one thing remains constant: well-deserved accolades for accomplishments. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson took time to extend his congratulations to both SpaceX and the crew for what was reported as a successful spacewalk. Clearly, there are fewer better ways to establish credibility in cutting-edge space exploration than completing a shakedown of new gear while doing a two-step dance in microgravity.

Ultimately, this mission is a pivotal chapter in the continuing saga of commercial space exploration. As Isaacman and Gillis make spacewalking seem like a casual Saturday afternoon activity, the rest of us might be left wondering when we’ll ever be invited to join this exclusive club of space adventurers. Until the next great venture into the cosmos, the Polaris Dawn mission serves as a gentle reminder that while we’re all tethered to our day-to-day lives, some folks are literally floating above it all—braving the vacuum, testing new tech, and receiving thanks for their contributions to humanity’s future on Mars while we’re stuck resizing our jeans after the holidays.