SpaceX is on the brink of making history with its Fram2 mission, set to be the first to send a crew around Earth’s poles. Departing from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this mission will see four international civilians embark on a truly groundbreaking journey. If all goes well, the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule will take off at 9:46 p.m. EDT, aiming for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean later in the week.
The crew, affectionately dubbed “framonauts” by SpaceX, includes Chun Wang from Malta, Janice Mikkelsen from Norway, Rabea Rogge from Germany, and Eric Phillips from Australia. Each brings a unique set of skills to the table, from cinematography to robotics.
Chun Wang, a bitcoin entrepreneur, shared his excitement, saying, “My own journey has been shaped by lifelong curiosity and a fascination with pushing boundaries.” It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to, especially when it comes to exploring the unknown.
SpaceX has been carefully preparing for this mission, keeping a close eye on the weather conditions. They stated, “Teams continue to monitor weather conditions ahead of tonight’s launch of Fram2 and the framonauts.”
This mission represents SpaceX’s third privately funded civilian space tourism flight. Despite not being professional astronauts, the crew has undergone extensive training. Janice Mikkelsen remarked, “I wish it was tourism. Our education has lasted well over a year, so I have never studied so hard for a three-and-a-half-day expedition in my life.” It’s a reminder of the dedication required for such a monumental task.
The Fram2 mission will take a rare trajectory, flying south over Miami and Cuba in a 90-degree circular orbit. This path is unprecedented from Florida, with the previous highest inclination being 65 degrees during the Soviet Vostok 6 mission.
Named after a pioneering ship from the early 20th century known for its polar expeditions, Fram2 aims to set a similar precedent by being the first spacecraft to orbit Earth’s poles.
While in orbit, the crew will conduct various scientific experiments, including mushroom cultivation and human body X-rays. Upon their return, they’ll attempt to exit the Dragon spacecraft without medical aid, providing valuable insights into astronaut recovery post-mission.
