In a groundbreaking development, the first-ever private spacewalk is scheduled to occur early Thursday morning as part of the Polaris Dawn mission. Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, two members of the four-person crew, will embark on this pioneering extravehicular activity (EVA), which will be streamed live for viewers to witness.

The Polaris Dawn mission, which launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on September 10, has already captured international attention. Now, with the imminent spacewalk, the excitement is reaching new heights. The highly anticipated event is slated to begin at 2:23 a.m. EDT (0623 GMT), according to SpaceX.

The anticipated duration of this historic spacewalk is approximately two hours. This timeframe encompasses the entire process, from the initial venting of the mission's Crew Dragon capsule to its repressurization. Interestingly, the absence of an airlock on the Crew Dragon means that the entire interior of the capsule will be exposed to the vacuum of space during the EVA.

With this unique circumstance, all four crew members—Isaacman, Gillis, Scott "Kidd" Poteet, and Anna Menon—will don SpaceX's state-of-the-art EVA suits. However, only Isaacman and Gillis will venture outside of the capsule. They will exit sequentially, rather than simultaneously, with each astronaut spending approximately 15 to 20 minutes outside. Importantly, both Isaacman and Gillis will maintain contact with the Crew Dragon throughout the spacewalk, making use of the recently installed "Skywalker" handrails.

The significance of this private spacewalk cannot be overstated. Not only does it mark a historic milestone in space exploration, but it also serves as a testament to the ongoing advancements made by commercial spaceflight companies like SpaceX.

Viewers interested in witnessing this monumental event can watch it live on Space.com or directly through SpaceX's streaming platforms. Coverage is set to begin at 1:20 a.m. EDT (0520 GMT), allowing audiences to follow the buildup and preparation leading up to the EVA.

As preparations are finalized and anticipation continues to build, Jared Isaacman summed up the seriousness of this endeavor during a prelaunch briefing. "We're just not going to be just floating around," he emphasized, highlighting the immense responsibility and attention to detail that comes with venturing into space.

This private spacewalk represents a significant leap forward, paving the way for future commercial missions and further advancing our understanding of outer space. It is a momentous occasion that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the history of space exploration.

Note: Some details in this article are based on the information provided in the source.