Introduction to the Fram2 Mission

The Fram2 mission, a historic journey to Earth’s polar regions, has successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On board the SpaceX Dragon vehicle are four space rookies, including Chun Wang, Jannicke Mikkelsen, Eric Philips, and Rabea Rogge, who are collecting data and conducting research from their unique vantage point.

The Journey Begins

The Fram2 mission launched on Monday, marking a significant milestone in human spaceflight. The crew of four private astronauts is orbiting Earth from above the planet’s polar regions, a feat never achieved before. The astronauts have already begun working on exciting research studies, sending updates from space. As Chun Wang described, "The ride to orbit was much smoother than I had anticipated. I had imagined it would feel like being in an elevator that suddenly drops, but that sensation never came."

First Impressions from Space

Upon reaching orbit, the crew experienced space motion sickness, with all members feeling nauseous and vomiting several times. However, as Wang noted, the sensation was different from motion sickness experienced on Earth. Despite the initial challenges, the crew spent their first night watching the launch footage on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and woke up refreshed the next morning.

Research and Exploration

The astronauts are conducting 22 research studies to improve our understanding of human health in space and prepare for long-duration missions. One of the studies involves observing the aurora-like phenomenon called STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), known for its hazy purple and green streaks across the sky. The crew has also taken the first X-rays in space and conducted orbital tests for SpaceX’s Starlink network.

Communication and Connection

Robotics researcher Rabea Rogge used an amateur radio on board, called Fram2Ham, to contact Berlin, demonstrating the crew’s ability to communicate with Earth from their unique vantage point. The Dragon spacecraft is flying over the planet’s polar regions at an altitude of around 265 to 280 miles (425 to 450 kilometers), traveling in a polar orbit at an inclination of about 60 to 90 degrees to the equator.

Conclusion and Future Updates

The Fram2 mission is designed to last three to five days in orbit. As the crew continues to collect data and conduct research, we can expect more updates from space. With their historic journey, the Fram2 astronauts are paving the way for future long-duration missions and expanding our understanding of human health in space. Stay tuned for more exciting developments from the Fram2 mission.