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<p>The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which made history when its crew conducted the first spacewalk by non-government astronauts, splashed down off the coast of Florida early&nbsp;Sunday (Sep 15).</p>

<p>The Dragon spacecraft landed in the ocean at 3:37 am (0737 GMT), a webcast of the splashdown showed, with a recovery team deploying in the pre-dawn darkness to retrieve the capsule and crew.</p>

<p>The four-member team led by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman launched Tuesday from the Kennedy Space Center, quickly journeying deeper into the cosmos than any humans in the past half century as they ventured into the dangerous Van Allen radiation belt.</p>

<p>They hit a peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometres) -- more than three times higher than the International Space Station and the furthest humans had ever travelled from Earth since the Apollo missions to the Moon.</p>

<p>Then on Thursday (Sep 12), with their Dragon spacecraft's orbit brought down to 434 miles, Isaacman swung open the hatch and climbed out into the void, gripping a structure called "Skywalker" as a breathtaking view of Earth unfolded before him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"SpaceX, back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world," he told mission control in Hawthorne, California, where teams erupted in applause.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth, <a href="https://twitter.com/rookisaacman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rookisaacman</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KiddPoteet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kiddpoteet</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Gillis_SarahE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gillis_SarahE</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/annawmenon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@annawmenon</a> <a href="https://t.co/nILpMQh2sR">pic.twitter.com/nILpMQh2sR</a></p>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1835221615392834024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>He went back inside after a few minutes and was replaced by a second astronaut, SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, who, like Isaacman, performed a series of mobility tests on SpaceX's sleek, next-generation suits.</p>

<p>Since Dragon doesn't have an airlock, the entire crew were exposed to the vacuum of space. Mission pilot Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon remained strapped in throughout as they monitored vital support systems.</p>

<p>It marked a "giant leap forward" for the commercial space industry, said NASA chief Bill Nelson, as well as another triumphant achievement for SpaceX.</p>

<p>Though the company was only founded in 2002, it has outpaced its legacy competitors thanks in large part to founder Elon Musk's vast fortune and zeal to begin the colonization of Mars.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-launches-all-civilian-polaris-mission-a-new-frontier-in-private-space-exploration-757593"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;SpaceX launches 'all civilian' Polaris mission: A new frontier in private space exploration</strong></a></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Rousing violin solo</h2>

<p>Since completing their extravehicular activity, the crew have continued to carry out roughly 40 science experiments -- for example inserting endoscopic cameras through their noses and into their throats to image their airways and better understand the impact of long-duration space missions on human health.</p>

<p>They also demonstrated connectivity with SpaceX's Starlink internet satellite constellation by sending back to ground control a high-resolution video of Gillis playing "Rey's Theme" by "Star Wars" composer John Williams, on the violin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Polaris Dawn is the first of three missions under the Polaris program, a collaboration between Isaacman and SpaceX.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explainer-why-polaris-dawn-is-a-daring-multiple-record-breaking-spaceflight-758235"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Explainer: Why Polaris Dawn is a daring, multiple record-breaking spaceflight</strong></a></p>

<p>Financial terms of the partnership remain under wraps but Isaacman, the 41-year-old founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, reportedly poured $200 million of his own money into leading the 2021 all-civilian SpaceX Inspiration4 orbital mission.</p>

<p>The final Polaris mission aims to be the first crewed flight of SpaceX's Starship, a prototype next-generation rocket that is key to Musk's interplanetary ambitions.</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>


The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which made history when its crew conducted the first spacewalk by non-government astronauts, splashed down off the coast of Florida early Sunday (Sep 15).

The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which made history when its crew conducted the first spacewalk by non-government astronauts, splashed down off the coast of Florida early Sunday (Sep 15). The Dragon spacecraft landed in the ocean at 3:37 am (0737 GMT), a webcast of the splashdown showed, with a recovery team deploying in the pre-dawn darkness to retrieve the capsule and crew. The four-member team led by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman launched Tuesday from the Kennedy Space Center, quickly journeying deeper into the cosmos than any humans in the past half century as they ventured into the dangerous Van Allen radiation belt. They hit a peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometres) -- more than three times higher than the International Space Station and the furthest humans had ever travelled from Earth since the Apollo missions to the Moon. Then on Thursday (Sep 12), with their Dragon spacecraft's orbit brought down to 434 miles, Isaacman swung open the hatch and climbed out into the void, gripping a structure called "Skywalker" as a breathtaking view of Earth unfolded before him. "SpaceX, back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world," he told mission control in Hawthorne, California, where teams erupted in applause. Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth, @rookisaacman, @kiddpoteet, @Gillis_SarahE, @annawmenon pic.twitter.com/nILpMQh2sR — SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 15, 2024 × He went back inside after a few minutes and was replaced by a second astronaut, SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, who, like Isaacman, performed a series of mobility tests on SpaceX's sleek, next-generation suits. Since Dragon doesn't have an airlock, the entire crew were exposed to the vacuum of space. Mission pilot Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon remained strapped in throughout as they monitored vital support systems. It marked a "giant leap forward" for the commercial space industry, said NASA chief Bill Nelson, as well as another triumphant achievement for SpaceX. Though the company was only founded in 2002, it has outpaced its legacy competitors thanks in large part to founder Elon Musk's vast fortune and zeal to begin the colonization of Mars. Watch | SpaceX launches 'all civilian' Polaris mission: A new frontier in private space exploration × Rousing violin solo Since completing their extravehicular activity, the crew have continued to carry out roughly 40 science experiments -- for example inserting endoscopic cameras through their noses and into their throats to image their airways and better understand the impact of long-duration space missions on human health. They also demonstrated connectivity with SpaceX's Starlink internet satellite constellation by sending back to ground control a high-resolution video of Gillis playing "Rey's Theme" by "Star Wars" composer John Williams, on the violin. Polaris Dawn is the first of three missions under the Polaris program, a collaboration between Isaacman and SpaceX. Also read | Explainer: Why Polaris Dawn is a daring, multiple record-breaking spaceflight Financial terms of the partnership remain under wraps but Isaacman, the 41-year-old founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, reportedly poured $200 million of his own money into leading the 2021 all-civilian SpaceX Inspiration4 orbital mission. The final Polaris mission aims to be the first crewed flight of SpaceX's Starship, a prototype next-generation rocket that is key to Musk's interplanetary ambitions. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

SpaceX's Polaris Dawn crew returns to Earth safely after historic spacewalk - WATCH

<p>The world's first private spacewalk took place on Thursday (Sep 12) 700 kilometres above Earth. As the world watched billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis venture into the darkness of space for about ten minutes, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk patted the company's back.</p>

<p>However, turns out the spacewalk might have broken some rules and was likely a "space crime", IFL Science reported.</p>

<p>The Outer Space Treaty was signed by 111 countries in 1967 and governs the matters of space exploration. Tomasso Sgobba, executive director of the Netherlands-based International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, told Al Jazeera that the private Polaris Dawn mission might have violated a specific part of the treaty.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is a mission which violates Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty,” Sgobba told Al Jazeera.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This part of the treaty talks about activities conducted by non-governmental agencies in space and puts the onus on the states to which the private mission is linked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty," the treaty reads.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tech-billionaire-kicks-off-first-private-spacewalk-out-of-spacex-capsule-758120">Tech billionaire kicks off first private spacewalk out of SpaceX capsule</a></p>

<p>"The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty," it adds.</p>

<p>The Polaris Dawn mission is being carried out by SpaceX, an American company. So the United States becomes responsible for the mission.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, none of the government branches have stepped up and taken responsibility for the safety of the mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Under federal law, the FAA is prohibited from issuing regulations for commercial human spaceflight occupant safety," the Federal Aviation Agency told Al Jazeera.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even though the offices cannot certify missions, they can approve rockets and spacecraft used in private and governmental space flights.</p>

<p>For now, the US doesn't face the risk of any action. But in future, the treaty might have to be amended when more private missions are carried out in space, the moon or even on asteroids.&nbsp;</p>


The world's first private spacewalk took place on Thursday (Sep 12) 700 kilometres above Earth. As the world watched billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis venture into the darkness of space for about ten minutes, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk patted the company's back.

The world's first private spacewalk took place on Thursday (Sep 12) 700 kilometres above Earth. As the world watched billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis venture into the darkness of space for about ten minutes, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk patted the company's back. However, turns out the spacewalk might have broken some rules and was likely a "space crime", IFL Science reported. The Outer Space Treaty was signed by 111 countries in 1967 and governs the matters of space exploration. Tomasso Sgobba, executive director of the Netherlands-based International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, told Al Jazeera that the private Polaris Dawn mission might have violated a specific part of the treaty. “This is a mission which violates Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty,” Sgobba told Al Jazeera. This part of the treaty talks about activities conducted by non-governmental agencies in space and puts the onus on the states to which the private mission is linked. "States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty," the treaty reads. Also Read: Tech billionaire kicks off first private spacewalk out of SpaceX capsule "The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty," it adds. The Polaris Dawn mission is being carried out by SpaceX, an American company. So the United States becomes responsible for the mission. × However, none of the government branches have stepped up and taken responsibility for the safety of the mission. “Under federal law, the FAA is prohibited from issuing regulations for commercial human spaceflight occupant safety," the Federal Aviation Agency told Al Jazeera. Even though the offices cannot certify missions, they can approve rockets and spacecraft used in private and governmental space flights. For now, the US doesn't face the risk of any action. But in future, the treaty might have to be amended when more private missions are carried out in space, the moon or even on asteroids.

Space crime? Polaris Dawn spacewalk might have broken some laws

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SpaceX's Polaris Dawn crew returns to Earth safely after historic spacewalk - WATCH

Space crime? Polaris Dawn spacewalk might have broken some laws