Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched four private astronauts into orbit on March 31. This historic Fram2 mission aims to achieve a groundbreaking feat in space exploration.
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, powered by a Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:46 pm local time. Notably, none of the crew members had ever traveled to space before.
So, what is the mission’s purpose? And who are the astronauts on board?
Fram2 Mission: A First-of-Its-Kind Journey
Unlike previous space missions, Fram2 is designed to orbit Earth from pole to pole. No astronaut has ever attempted such a path before.
During the three-to-five-day journey, the Dragon spacecraft will orbit at an altitude of 267 miles. Each full orbit will take approximately 46 minutes.
In comparison to traditional missions, Fram2 requires significantly more fuel since it follows a unique flight path. Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits near the equator, Fram2 will fly directly over both the North and South Poles. In fact, the last mission to come close to this trajectory was the Soviet Vostok 6 flight in 1963.
Moreover, astronauts aboard this mission will contribute to valuable scientific research. Scientists will closely examine how their bodies respond to weightlessness and motion sickness, which are common challenges for space travelers.
Leading and funding this mission is cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang.
“My own journey has been shaped by lifelong curiosity and the fascination with pushing boundaries,” Chun said during an audio-only Spaces session on X.
Scientific and Research Goals
Beyond the remarkable flight path, the Fram2 mission will focus on several key research areas. The astronauts will:
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Grow oyster mushrooms in microgravity as part of Mission MushVroom
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Conduct 22 different scientific studies
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Evaluate exercise routines to counteract muscle and bone loss in space
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Perform the first-ever X-ray imaging in orbit
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Gather crucial data on Earth’s polar regions, which will aid climate change research
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Test unassisted egress from the Dragon capsule to assess astronaut fitness post-mission
These experiments will not only advance scientific knowledge but also help prepare for future deep-space missions.
Why the Name ‘Fram2’?
Interestingly, the mission’s name pays tribute to the famous Norwegian ship “Fram,” which played a key role in early polar exploration. Built specifically for Arctic and Antarctic research, the Fram allowed explorers to reach some of the coldest and most remote places on Earth.
To honor this legacy, the astronauts are carrying a small piece of the original ship into space.
Historically, the Fram participated in three major expeditions:
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Fridtjof Nansen’s Arctic Ocean drift (1893-1896)
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Otto Sverdrup’s journey to Canada’s Nunavut region (1898-1902)
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Roald Amundsen’s South Pole expedition (1910-1912)
If successful, Wang and his team will become the first astronauts to film and observe Earth’s polar regions from space.
Meet the Crew
The Fram2 mission consists of four private astronauts from different backgrounds. Each crew member brings unique expertise to this historic flight.
Chun Wang: Mission Commander
Chun Wang, a China-born entrepreneur now based in Malta, leads the mission. He co-founded F2Pool, a global Bitcoin mining network.
Over the years, he has traveled to more than 100 countries and describes himself as “nomadic.” Interestingly, he met his fellow crew members while living in Svalbard.
“I’ve been interested in space from a very young age … and for the first time, a private person can plan and design their own very personal mission,” he told CNBC.
Jannicke Mikkelsen: Vehicle Commander
Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen plays a crucial role as the mission’s vehicle commander.
She specializes in filming extreme environments, including the Arctic and the open ocean. In addition, she has worked with renowned broadcaster David Attenborough on 360-degree underwater documentaries.
Previously, Mikkelsen was the payload specialist for the One More Orbit mission. That flight traveled over both poles to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
“As a filmmaker, I have long dreamed of these possibilities in fiction. Now, step by step, commercial mission by commercial mission, we are turning those dreams into reality,” she said on the Fram2 website.
Rabea Rogge: Pilot
Rabea Rogge, a German engineer and scientist, serves as the mission’s pilot. She specializes in robotics and polar research.
Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in marine technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Notably, she is the first German woman to fly into space.
“She has always been fascinated by extreme environments, studying them to understand the limits of our world – and to push beyond them,” her mission bio states.
Eric Philips: Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Australian polar explorer Eric Philips takes on the role of mission specialist and medical officer.
With extensive experience leading ski expeditions to both poles, he is one of the world’s foremost experts in polar travel. In fact, he co-founded the International Polar Guides Association and helped create the Polar Expeditions Classification Scheme.
“Having spent much of my adult life in the polar regions, this is an incredible opportunity to view the Arctic and Antarctica from space – in particular Antarctica, which will be fully lit at this time of year,” he said.
A Bold Step in Space Exploration
Without a doubt, the Fram2 mission is pushing the boundaries of private spaceflight. Not only will it provide new insights into Earth’s polar regions, but it will also pave the way for future commercial missions.
If successful, the crew will make history as the first to orbit directly over both poles. Their journey represents a major leap in space tourism and scientific exploration.