Touching the Stars: SpaceX Crew Completes First Commercial Spacewalk!

Isaacman, who had trained thoroughly for this, started moving his arms and legs, going through a series of motions he had memorized in advance. These movements were important because they were meant to test how easily someone could move in the zero-gravity conditions of outer space. This kind of testing is crucial for understanding how humans can function outside of a spacecraft, and Isaacman’s calm and steady approach made it clear that the mission was in good hands.

At the time the hatch was opened, the spacecraft was flying in an elliptical orbit, around 736 kilometers (457 miles) above Earth’s surface. Even more incredible was the fact that the spacecraft was speeding through space at over 25,000 kilometers per hour (about 15,500 miles per hour). Despite this unbelievable speed, everything went according to plan, and the crew handled the conditions like true professionals.

The team carefully went through a process known as “pre-breathe,” which is a key safety measure. This step is meant to remove nitrogen from their blood to avoid a dangerous condition where nitrogen gas forms bubbles in the bloodstream. This condition, known as decompression sickness or “the bends,” can be life-threatening, especially in the vacuum of space.