SpaceX successfully launched the Fram2 private crew mission on March 31 at 21:46 EST aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Fram2 is the first human spaceflight to explore the polar regions of the Earth that are not visible to astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The crew will observe the Earth’s poles through a panoramic dome from an altitude of 430 km (267 miles). The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule can fly from the North to the South Pole in about 46 minutes, and the Fram2 mission will last three to five days, so it is expected to provide scientists with a large amount of video footage that will capture the polar regions. In fact, SpaceX has already published the first images of the Earth’s poles from space taken during the mission.
The crew will observe unusual light emissions reminiscent of the aurora borealis in these regions, including STEVE, which appear as purple and green ribbons of light in the night sky. They will also conduct 22 experiments designed to better understand human health in space for long-term missions in the future. The crew will take the first human X-rays in space, study exercises to preserve muscle and bone mass, investigate sleep patterns and stress using wearable technology, monitor glucose levels, and observe the hormonal health of female crew members. They will also not receive conventional medical care and mobility assistance after landing to see how they adapt to gravity on their own and will undergo an MRI immediately upon arrival. NASA called the launch of Fram2 a “significant step” in humanity’s understanding of how our bodies will behave in outer space.
Chun Wang, a Chinese-born cryptocurrency investor who now lives in Norway, paid for the trip and is one of the astronauts currently on board. The mission’s ship commander is Yannicke Mikkelsen, a filmmaker who works on technologies for making movies in remote and dangerous environments. Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher from Norway, is the pilot. Finally, Eric Phillips, a professional polar traveler and guide, is the mission’s medical officer.
