Commercial mission plans to observe Earth’s poles from low-Earth orbit for the first time and complete 22 research experiments, among other objectives.
The Fram2 astronauts, (from left) Rabea Rogge, Eric Phillips, Chun Wang, and Jannicke Mikkelsen, don spacesuits as they gear up for their historic polar spaceflight. [Courtesy: Fram2]
Key Takeaways:
The Fram2 mission, led by crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang and a crew of private astronauts, is set to launch next week as the first human spaceflight to fly directly over Earth's poles, achieving a record 90-degree orbit.
During the three-to-five-day mission, the international crew will observe polar regions, study unexplained light emissions known as STEVE, and conduct 22 experiments aimed at advancing humanity's capabilities for long-duration space exploration.
These experiments include growing mushrooms in microgravity and taking the first X-rays of humans in space, while the mission also emphasizes public engagement through collaborations with researchers, citizen scientists, and students.
Correction: A Qatar Executive Gulfstream G650ER set the record for polar circumnavigation in 46 hours and 40 minutes, rather than 46 minutes and 40 seconds as a previous version of this article stated.
Next week, a crew of private astronauts is expected to go where no one has gone before.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
