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SpaceX to launch private astronauts on first crewed polar orbit

SpaceX is set to launch the first human spaceflight directly over Earth's polar regions on Monday—a days-long, privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts.

Named "Fram2" after the famed Norwegian ship built in the 19th century for Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, the mission will feature a range of experiments including taking the first X-ray in space and growing mushrooms in microgravity.

It's hoped that the research will support future long-duration space travel to Mars.

The crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket in a window that opens at 9:46 pm (0146 GMT) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"With the same pioneering spirit as early polar explorers, we aim to bring back new data and knowledge to advance the long-term goals of space exploration," said Chun Wang, mission commander.

Wang, a Maltese adventurer and co-founder of crypto companies f2pool and skatefish, selected the rest of the crew: vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian film director; mission pilot Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher from Germany; and mission specialist and medical officer Eric Philps, an Australian polar explorer.

The team trained for eight months in preparation for the approximately four-day trip, including a wilderness expedition in Alaska to simulate living in close quarters under harsh conditions.

Upon returning to Earth, the crew will attempt to exit the spacecraft without additional medical support—part of a study to help researchers understand how well astronauts can perform basic tasks after spaceflight.

Except for the Apollo lunar missions, Earth's polar regions have remained out of view for astronauts, including those aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Even on Apollo they did not fly directly over Earth's poles.

SpaceX has carried out five private astronaut missions to date—three in collaboration with Axiom Space to the ISS, and two free-flying in Earth orbit.

The first of these was Inspiration4 in 2021, followed by Polaris Dawn, which featured the first spacewalk conducted by private astronauts.

Both free-flying missions were chartered by e-payments billionaire Jared Isaacman, a close associate of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has also been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next NASA administrator.

© 2025 AFP

Explore further

SpaceX announces new private mission on 1st human polar orbit spaceflight

Embedded Tables and Charts

The following table details the crew's training regimen in preparation for the mission.

Research Objectives

The mission "Fram2" is designed to achieve important research objectives which include:

• Conducting the first X-ray experiment in space targeting different celestial phenomena.
• Using microgravity to research the growth of mushrooms for potential food sources in long-duration space missions.
• Gathering additional data to aid future Mars mission planning.

Potential Challenges

“The journey into space remains fraught with uncertainties and challenges that require rigorous preparation and adaptability.” – Mission Specialist Eric Philips

The Fram2 mission will face various challenges:

1. Microgravity Adaptation: Adjusting to weightlessness may involve health risks.
2. Isolation: Extended time away from Earth may affect the mental well-being of the crew.
3. Technical Glitches: Spacecraft systems may malfunction requiring immediate troubleshooting.

Next Steps for SpaceX

Future missions of SpaceX will continue to delve deeper into human space exploration. Upcoming objectives include:

For further information about the Fram2 mission and future developments, please visit