SpaceX tests its Mars space suit in first private spacewalk out of the Dragon capsule

The so-called Extravehicular Activity (EVA) space suit was developed by SpaceX to replace older bulky suits as a more practical and, above all, scalable invention.

The EVA space suit was just tested for "overall hand body control, vertical movement, and foot restraint" in the first private spacewalk mission of the Polaris Dawn crew, and passed with flying colors.

The commercial spacewalk project of billionaire Jared Isaacman used the Dragon capsule to venture into open space. Jared and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis both climbed out in the span of 20 minutes, wearing just their SpaceX EVA gear with HUD helmets.

Once out, the crew performed a movement routine designed to test the reach and flexibility of the space suit,connected to the capsule with only the "umbilical" used for providing life-support functions.

SpaceX designed the lightweight EVA suits with the idea to scale them in mass production for its future missions to Mars or other planned endeavors like a moon base.

Developed with mobility in mind, SpaceX teams incorporated new materials, fabrication processes, and novel joint designs to provide greater flexibility to astronauts in pressurized scenarios while retaining comfort for depressurized scenarios. The 3D-printed helmet incorporates a new visor to reduce glare during the EVA in addition to the new Heads-Up Display (HUD) and camera that provide information on the suit’s pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. The suit also incorporates enhancements for reliability and redundancy during a spacewalk, adding seals and pressure valves to help ensure the suit remains pressurized, and the crew remains safe.

According to Elon, the Moon and Mars colonization projects "will require millions of spacesuits," and that is why SpaceX wanted to reinvent the concept of spacewalking couture.

Elon Musk recently set a timeline for the SpaceX trips to Mars, saying that the first unmanned mission could be sent as soon as the next suitable slot in 2026. If all goes well, SpaceX wants to fly humans to Mars in 2028, though Elon is notorious for being overly optimistic with timelines.

Mission Specialist @Gillis_SarahE is conducting the same series of suit mobility tests @rookisaacman completed pic.twitter.com/XbS6SNFv3a

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 12, 2024

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