Successful Launch of SpaceX’s Fram2 Private Crewed Mission

SpaceX has achieved a successful launch of the Fram2 private crewed mission, which took place on March 31 at 9:46 PM Eastern time aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission marks the first human spaceflight to explore the Earth’s polar regions, which are not visible to the astronauts on the International Space Station. The crew will have the opportunity to observe the Earth’s poles through a panoramic cupola attachment at an altitude of 430 km (267 miles). Notably, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule can travel from the North to the South Pole in approximately 46 minutes, and with Fram2 being a three-to-five day mission, it is expected to provide scientists with a substantial amount of footage capturing the polar regions. In fact, SpaceX has already released the mission’s initial views of the Earth’s poles from space.

The crew’s observations will include unusual light emissions that resemble auroras in the regions, such as STEVEs, which appear as purple and green light ribbons in the night sky. Furthermore, they will conduct 22 experiments designed to improve our understanding of human health in space, particularly for long-duration missions in the future. These experiments include capturing the first human X-rays in space, studying exercises aimed at preserving muscle and bone mass, exploring sleep and stress patterns using wearable technology, monitoring glucose levels, and observing the hormonal health of the female crew members. Additionally, the crew will not receive the typical medical and mobility assistance upon landing, allowing them to re-acclimate to gravity on their own, and they will undergo an MRI immediately after arrival. According to NASA, Fram2’s launch represents a “significant step” in humanity’s understanding of how our bodies will fare in outer space.

Crew and Mission Details

The crew of the Fram2 mission includes Chun Wang, a Chinese-born cryptocurrency investor currently residing in Norway, who sponsored the trip and is one of the astronauts on board. Jannicke Mikkelsen, a filmmaker specializing in technology for movies shot in remote and hazardous environments, serves as the mission’s vehicle commander. Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher from Norway, is the pilot, while Eric Philips, a professional polar adventurer and guide, acts as the mission’s medical officer.