SpaceX Launches Historic Crewed Mission Over Earth's Poles
The Fram2 mission aims to conduct scientific experiments and gather data for future Mars exploration.
SpaceX has announced the launch of its first crewed mission to fly over Earth's poles, named Fram2, in homage to a 19th-century vessel used in polar exploration.
The mission is set to include scientific experiments, such as capturing the first X-ray images in space and cultivating mushrooms in microgravity, which could contribute to knowledge for future Mars missions.
The crew will board a Dragon capsule, with the Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 19:46 local time (01:46 GMT, 03:46 French time on Tuesday).
Mission commander Chun Wang stated that the endeavor aims to gather new knowledge and data to advance long-term space exploration, reflecting the pioneering spirit of early polar explorers.
The mission has been funded by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who has achieved significant wealth in the sector.
He will be joined by Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, Australian polar guide Eric Philips, and German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge.
The crew underwent eight months of training, including winter exercises in Alaska, in preparation for the anticipated four-day mission.
Upon their return to Earth, the astronauts will attempt to exit the capsule without medical assistance as part of a study to evaluate simple tasks that astronauts may perform after a space flight.
Notably, apart from the Apollo lunar missions, the Earth’s poles have not been visited by astronauts, including those aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
SpaceX has previously conducted five private missions: three to the ISS in collaboration with Axiom Space and two orbiting around the Earth.
The inaugural mission was Inspiration4 in 2021, followed by Polaris Dawn, which included the first-ever private spacewalk.
The two orbital missions were chartered by billionaire Jared Isaacman, a close associate of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has been nominated by former President Donald Trump to lead NASA.
The mission is set to include scientific experiments, such as capturing the first X-ray images in space and cultivating mushrooms in microgravity, which could contribute to knowledge for future Mars missions.
The crew will board a Dragon capsule, with the Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 19:46 local time (01:46 GMT, 03:46 French time on Tuesday).
Mission commander Chun Wang stated that the endeavor aims to gather new knowledge and data to advance long-term space exploration, reflecting the pioneering spirit of early polar explorers.
The mission has been funded by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who has achieved significant wealth in the sector.
He will be joined by Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, Australian polar guide Eric Philips, and German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge.
The crew underwent eight months of training, including winter exercises in Alaska, in preparation for the anticipated four-day mission.
Upon their return to Earth, the astronauts will attempt to exit the capsule without medical assistance as part of a study to evaluate simple tasks that astronauts may perform after a space flight.
Notably, apart from the Apollo lunar missions, the Earth’s poles have not been visited by astronauts, including those aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
SpaceX has previously conducted five private missions: three to the ISS in collaboration with Axiom Space and two orbiting around the Earth.
The inaugural mission was Inspiration4 in 2021, followed by Polaris Dawn, which included the first-ever private spacewalk.
The two orbital missions were chartered by billionaire Jared Isaacman, a close associate of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has been nominated by former President Donald Trump to lead NASA.
