VIDEO: SpaceX Civilian Crew Returns To Earth After Making History
After a historic five-day orbital journey, the Polaris Dawn crew returned to Earth safely, marking the culmination of a groundbreaking mission.
The Dragon capsule splashed down off Florida’s coast at 03:37 local time (07:37 GMT), with SpaceX streaming the event live.
The mission made history with the world’s first commercial spacewalk, pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” SpaceX said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1835221615392834024
https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1835258786904523189
The US space agency praised the historic mission, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, as a significant breakthrough for private space exploration, BBC reports.
During re-entry, the spacecraft withstood scorching temperatures of 1,900C (3,500°F), generated by intense friction and pressure while traveling at approximately 7,000mph (27,000kph).
The four-person civilian crew, comprising Isaacman, retired US Air Force pilot Scott Poteet, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, ventured farther into space than any humans in over 50 years.
Isaacman and Gillis made history as the first non-professional spacewalkers, executing a high-risk maneuver involving depressurization of the crew compartment and exiting the spacecraft.
In a groundbreaking achievement, two crew members from the Polaris Dawn mission became the first non-government-funded astronauts to perform a spacewalk.
Live footage showed Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis emerging from the Dragon capsule, floating 435 miles (700km) above Earth. The breathtaking view showcased the curvature of the planet.
During the spacewalk, Isaacman communicated with mission control in Hawthorne, California, remarking: “Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here — looks like a perfect world.”
This pivotal moment marked a shift in space exploration, demonstrating the capabilities of private space initiatives.
During their five-day mission, the crew executed over 40 experiments, focusing on investigating space travel’s effects on human health and testing intersatellite laser communication between Dragon and Starlink.
A unique cultural highlight emerged when Sarah Gillis, a trained violinist, performed “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She played alongside Earth-based orchestras, showcasing artistic collaboration across space.
Gillis’s performance was transmitted to Earth via SpaceX’s Starlink, demonstrating the satellite network’s potential for in-space connectivity.
This special event was created in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, beneficiary of the Polaris Program’s fundraising efforts throughout the mission.
