On the night of March 31, SpaceX achieved a historic milestone by launching the Fram2 mission, sending four astronauts into an unprecedented polar orbit around Earth. Departing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Crew Dragon capsule, mounted atop a Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off at 9:46 p.m. EDT (1:46 a.m. UTC on April 1), embarking on a three-to-five-day journey that will pass over Earth’s north and south poles. Funded by Maltese billionaire of Chinese origin Chun Wang, this mission marks the first time humans have ventured into this orbital path, cementing a significant advancement in private space exploration.
The crew, made up of individuals with no prior spaceflight experience, brings together a diverse set of skills: Chun Wang, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who built his wealth in bitcoin mining, commands the mission; Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian filmmaker specializing in virtual reality, serves as the capsule’s commander; Rabea Rogge, a German robotics engineer and polar scientist, pilots the spacecraft; and Eric Philips, an Australian adventurer with extensive polar expedition experience, rounds out the team as mission specialist and medical officer. Over the course of their flight, they will conduct 22 scientific experiments focusing on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on the human body.
This launch marks SpaceX’s sixth private astronaut flight and the 16th crewed mission using the reusable Crew Dragon spacecraft. The company, founded by Elon Musk, already dominates transport to the International Space Station (ISS) and now expands its reach with a mission independent of government funding, unlike many prior operations. Following liftoff, the Falcon 9’s first stage successfully landed on a droneship in the Atlantic, while the Crew Dragon, named Resilience, entered a 90-degree inclined orbit at approximately 430 kilometers altitude, offering unparalleled views of Earth’s polar regions.
Fram2 – the first human spaceflight to explore Earth's polar regions – lifts off from pad 39A in Florida only 17 days after Falcon 9 successfully launched @NASA's Crew-10 to the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/90AV1DBlPj
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 1, 2025
Journey into uncharted orbits
Named after the Norwegian ship “Fram,” which explored the Arctic and Antarctic in the early 20th century, the Fram2 mission carries a symbolic weight as it charts new territory in space. For the first time, humans will observe Earth’s poles directly from low orbit, a feat neither the Apollo missions nor the ISS, with its equatorial orbit, ever accomplished. The polar trajectory, perpendicular to the equator, provides comprehensive coverage of the planet’s surface, including areas rarely seen by astronauts.
During their days in orbit, the crew will carry out studies poised to shape the future of long-duration space travel. One highly anticipated experiment involves performing the first X-ray of humans in space, aimed at understanding how radiation impacts the body in microgravity. They will also attempt to grow mushrooms in orbit, exploring the feasibility of producing fresh food during extended missions, such as those planned for the Moon and Mars. Additional research includes sleep analysis, glucose regulation, and bone health studies, capitalizing on the unique opportunity to gather data in an orbit never before occupied by humans.
This flight also introduces a logistical shift for SpaceX: it will be the first crewed mission launched from Florida to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, off the California coast. This change reflects the company’s move toward West Coast recovery operations, which began with the Crew-9 mission’s return on March 18. The Resilience capsule, previously used in missions like Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, has been equipped to withstand the heightened radiation levels of a polar orbit, which exposes it to more of the Van Allen belts than equatorial paths.
Meet the polar orbit pioneers
Chun Wang spearheads the mission as its financier and commander, bringing an entrepreneurial flair to space. Born in China and now based in Malta, he amassed his fortune through bitcoin mining and chose to invest in an experience few can fathom. Joined by three crewmates from varied backgrounds, Wang represents a new breed of space explorers, where access to orbit is no longer limited to government agencies or trained astronauts.
Jannicke Mikkelsen adds an artistic dimension to the flight. As a filmmaker, she aims to capture stunning footage of the polar regions, including the northern and southern auroras, for potential virtual reality projects. Rabea Rogge, with her background in electrical engineering and robotic missions in the Arctic, takes on the pilot role, while Eric Philips, who has skied across Earth’s harshest polar landscapes, contributes his practical expertise in extreme environments. Together, they form an eclectic group united by a shared drive to explore and advance human knowledge.
Preparations for the mission spanned eight months, with intensive training in California. On the eve of launch, the crew arrived at Launch Pad 39A in a convoy of Tesla vehicles, showcasing the synergy of Musk’s companies. The capsule was pre-positioned in the Kennedy Space Center hangar days earlier, ensuring all systems were primed for the historic flight.
Experiments shaping space’s future
Aboard the Crew Dragon, the astronauts will conduct a series of experiments blending science and innovation. Growing mushrooms in microgravity stands out for its potential in long-term missions. Experts note that fungi grow quickly, complement plant-based systems, and produce vitamin D under ultraviolet light, a key factor in countering bone loss in space.
Another groundbreaking study, dubbed SpaceXray, will use X-rays to examine the crew in orbit. This experiment could shed light on how microgravity and radiation affect human tissues, providing critical data for safeguarding health on interplanetary voyages. The Egress study will assess the crew’s ability to exit the capsule unaided after splashdown, simulating emergency scenarios on lunar or Martian surfaces.
- Mushroom cultivation: Testing fresh food production in orbit.
- SpaceXray: First human X-ray analysis in space.
- Egress: Evaluating autonomous capsule exit post-landing.
- Sleep and health: Monitoring sleep patterns with Oura Ring devices.
These experiments build on the legacy of missions like Polaris Dawn, which conducted the first commercial spacewalk in 2024, and solidify SpaceX’s role in private space research.
Fram2 mission timeline
The mission follows a detailed schedule, starting with the launch on March 31. Key moments include:
- March 31, 9:46 p.m. EDT: Falcon 9 lifts off from Kennedy Space Center.
- April 1-5: Orbital phase, with 55 polar passes at 430 km altitude.
- April 3-5: Expected splashdown in the Pacific near California.
The polar path allows the Crew Dragon to travel between the poles in roughly 46 minutes, offering continuous views of Earth’s extremities.
Why a polar orbit matters
No crewed mission has ever reached a 90-degree polar orbit before. Unlike the ISS’s equatorial orbit or the 65-degree trajectories of early Soviet missions like Vostok 6 in 1963, Fram2 spans the planet from north to south. This route poses greater challenges due to increased exposure to Van Allen belt radiation but unlocks unique observation and research opportunities.
SpaceX’s choice of orbit reflects its innovative edge, building on its experience launching polar-orbiting satellites. To ensure safety, the company identified multiple splashdown sites and reinforced the Resilience capsule for the extreme conditions. The flight also underscores the growing accessibility of space, with an estimated cost of $55 million per seat, fully funded by Wang.
The crew plans to record footage of the polar regions, a first from low orbit. These recordings, led by Mikkelsen, could offer fresh perspectives on icebergs, auroras, and climate change effects, visible from 430 kilometers up.
SpaceX’s role in the new space era
SpaceX strengthens its dominance in the spaceflight market with Fram2. While Boeing grapples with Starliner delays, the Crew Dragon remains the only private spacecraft regularly ferrying crews to orbit. Developed with NASA funding, it has completed 11 ISS missions and five commercial flights, including three with Axiom Space.
The mission’s success advances Elon Musk’s vision of making space more accessible. Unlike government-backed flights driven by national prestige, Fram2 exemplifies how individuals can propel exploration forward. The shift to West Coast splashdowns also highlights SpaceX’s evolving logistics, now operating from both U.S. coasts to boost launch and recovery capacity.
The Fram2 crew, unaffiliated with governments, signals a paradigm shift. Once limited to professional astronauts or wealthy tourists, space now welcomes scientists, artists, and adventurers, each contributing to a shared mission of pushing boundaries.
Fram2 mission highlights
Here are some standout facts about Fram2:
- First crewed mission to orbit Earth’s poles.
- Carries a fragment of the original “Fram” ship, loaned by a Norwegian museum.
- Uses the veteran Resilience capsule from Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn.
- Marks the first Florida-launched Crew Dragon to splash down in the Pacific.
These details underscore the blend of history, innovation, and boldness defining the mission.
Looking ahead
Fram2 is more than a standalone achievement—it’s a stepping stone to bolder missions. Data on human health in polar orbits could inform planning for Mars trips, where radiation and microgravity will be constant hurdles. Growing food in space also paves the way for self-sufficiency on extended voyages.
The inclusion of non-professionals in space highlights the industry’s democratization. With SpaceX at the forefront, the future may see more private missions exploring uncharted orbits and destinations. Fram2, with its diverse crew and scientific goals, embodies this transformation.
With each polar pass, the team captures a historic moment that will echo in space exploration. Whether through aurora footage or scientific breakthroughs, the mission’s legacy is already taking shape as the Crew Dragon continues its journey into the unknown.
