In a daring move, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman embarked on a mission to perform the first private spacewalk, venturing farther than any individual since NASA's Apollo moonshots. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday morning, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration.

In this unprecedented endeavor, Isaacman shared the cost with SpaceX, which included the development and testing of brand new spacesuits. The primary objective of this mission is to assess the performance of the spacesuits in the harsh vacuum of space. If successful, it will be the first time that private citizens participate in a spacewalk, although they will remain close to the capsule.

Spacewalks, known to be one of the riskiest aspects of spaceflight, have historically been the domain of professional astronauts. Since the former Soviet Union opened the hatch in 1965, closely followed by the United States, spacewalks have become routine activities at the International Space Station. However, Isaacman and his team are determined to challenge this notion and redefine the boundaries of private space exploration.

Joining Isaacman on this groundbreaking mission are two SpaceX engineers and a former Air Force Thunderbirds pilot. The launch, which took place before dawn aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is just the start of a five-day flight. The spacewalk is scheduled for Thursday, marking the midpoint of the mission.

During this mission, the team aims to reach an altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometers), surpassing the record set during NASA's Project Gemini in 1966. Only the 24 astronauts who flew to the moon during the Apollo missions have ventured farther into space. Their plan is to spend 10 hours at this height, braving extreme radiation and potential debris, before adjusting their orbit to a lower altitude of 435 miles (700 kilometers).

Given the risks involved, all four crew members will be donning SpaceX's specially designed spacewalking suits. The entire Dragon capsule will be depressurized for the two-hour spacewalk, exposing the team members to the dangerous environment of outer space. Isaacman and SpaceX's Sarah Gillis will take turns venturing outside the capsule, testing the capabilities of their custom white and black-trimmed suits. Safety precautions include always having a hand or foot in contact with the capsule or a support structure resembling a pool ladder, ensuring the crew members remain secure. Dangling on tethers or performing jetpack maneuvers, common in NASA spacewalks, are not part of this private mission.

Monitoring the spacewalk from the inside will be pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet and SpaceX's Anna Menon. Similar to previous SpaceX astronaut flights, this mission will conclude with a splashdown off the coast of Florida.

Jared Isaacman expressed his gratitude to the SpaceX team and all those supporting the mission, acknowledging the importance of their collective efforts. The successful completion of this mission will not only mark a significant milestone for private space exploration but also pave the way for future endeavors to explore celestial bodies beyond Earth.

This ambitious project, initiated by Isaacman and facilitated by SpaceX, demonstrates the increasing role of the private sector in pushing the boundaries of space exploration. William Gerstenmaier, a SpaceX vice president with prior experience at NASA, emphasized the significance of this collaboration and its potential to expand the frontiers of human space exploration.

Isaacman's current mission is the first of three trips he purchased from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk 2 1/2 years ago. His previous private spaceflight raised significant funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with this mission's delays primarily attributed to the extensive training and development of the spacesuits.

As the crew embarks on this historic spacewalk, the world awaits with anticipation, hoping for their safe return and the possibility of future private ventures exploring the mysteries of the Moon, Mars, and our solar system.