SpaceX has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking mission that will mark the first human spaceflight to explore Earth from a polar orbit. The Fram2 mission, set to launch as early as this year, promises to push the boundaries of space exploration and scientific research.
The Fram2 mission, named after the Norwegian exploration ship that ventured into Arctic and Antarctic regions, will utilize SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to launch the Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft. This mission represents Dragon’s sixth commercial astronaut flight and will traverse Earth’s polar regions at an altitude of 425-450 km.
Commanded by Chun Wang, an entrepreneur from Malta, the international crew includes vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen from Norway, vehicle pilot Eric Philips from Australia, and mission specialist Rabea Rogge from Germany. The mission aims to highlight the crew’s explorational spirit, inspire public curiosity, and demonstrate technology’s role in advancing exploration.
During the 3 to 5 day mission, the crew will leverage Dragon’s cupola to observe Earth’s polar regions. Collaborating with space physicists and citizen scientists, they will study unusual light emissions resembling auroras, potentially contributing to our understanding of polar atmospheric phenomena.
Unlike previous missions, Fram2 will not dock with the International Space Station. Instead, it will independently orbit Earth, focusing on polar observations. The mission is strategically timed to coincide with the Southern Hemisphere’s summer solstice, maximizing opportunities for photography and scientific observation.
The Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft, equipped with a dome module for enhanced photography, exemplifies SpaceX’s commitment to advancing space technology. This mission builds on the company’s experience with free-flight missions, following the Inspiration 4 mission in 2021 and the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission.
As SpaceX prepares to launch Fram2, the mission stands poised to open new frontiers in human spaceflight.