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, purchased by crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang from SpaceX, is scheduled to launch next week as the first human spaceflight to fly directly over Earth’s poles.
The four-person crew will achieve a 90-degree orbit—the highest inclination for a crewed spacecraft—to observe polar regions, study Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancements (STEVE), and engage in 22 experiments related to long-duration space exploration.
Carrying a piece of the original Fram ship, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, fitted with a special viewing cupola, will also facilitate collaborations with researchers, citizen scientists, and students globally.
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.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
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.
