Fram2 Mission Launch: SpaceX launched the Fram2 mission on March 31, 2025, aboard a Crew Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
First Human Polar Orbit: This is the first crewed mission to undertake a polar orbit, a trajectory previously untraveled by humans.
Private Spaceflight: Financed by crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang, the mission involves four private astronauts.
Research Focus: The 3-5 day mission will conduct 22 research experiments, primarily studying the impact of spaceflight and microgravity on the human body.
Crew Composition: The crew consists of Chun Wang, Norwegian film director Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian adventurer Eric Philips.
Polar Orbit Characteristics: Polar orbits offer complete Earth surface coverage, ideal for observation, but face higher radiation exposure and complex rescue scenarios compared to equatorial orbits.
SpaceX Dominance: Fram2 highlights SpaceX’s increasing dominance in private human spaceflight, especially as Boeing’s Starliner faces delays.
No Government Backing: Unlike many recent Dragon missions focusing on national prestige, Fram2 is privately funded and driven by individual research interests.
