On April 1, 2025, at 9:46 p.m. EDT, SpaceX launched the Fram2 mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the first human spaceflight to enter a polar retrograde orbit, traversing both the North and South Poles. The mission concluded successfully with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Oceanside, California, on April 4, 2025.

The Fram2 mission represents a significant milestone in space exploration, being the first crewed flight to achieve a polar orbit. This trajectory allowed the crew to conduct unique scientific experiments and observations over Earth's polar regions, contributing valuable data for future long-duration missions.

Mission Details

The mission was led and funded by Chun Wang, a Maltese investor and cryptocurrency entrepreneur, who served as the mission commander. The crew included Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian polar explorer Eric Philips. The Crew Dragon capsule, named Resilience, was launched atop a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. The spacecraft entered a low Earth orbit with an apogee of 413 km and a perigee of 202 km, featuring a polar retrograde inclination of 90.01°, allowing it to fly over both of Earth's poles. This trajectory broke the previous record for the highest orbital inclination of a crewed spaceflight set by Vostok 6 in 1963.

Scientific Experiments and Achievements

During the three-day mission, the crew conducted 22 scientific experiments focusing on the effects of microgravity on the human body. Notably, they captured the first human X-ray images in space, providing valuable data for space medicine. The crew also cultivated oyster mushrooms in microgravity, exploring sustainable food production methods for long-duration space missions. Additionally, they observed atmospheric phenomena resembling auroras, such as STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), at altitudes of approximately 400–500 km above Earth's atmosphere.

Crew Members

• Chun Wang: A Chinese-born Maltese investor and cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Wang is the founder of f2pool and stakefish, among the largest Bitcoin mining pools and Ethereum staking providers. He financed and led the Fram2 mission, aiming to highlight the crew's exploratory spirit and the role of technology in pushing the boundaries of exploration.

• Jannicke Mikkelsen: A Norwegian filmmaker and cinematographer, Mikkelsen has a background in 3D technology and speed skating. She studied at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, UK, and has been involved in various film projects.

• Rabea Rogge: A German electrical engineer, robotics researcher, and polar scientist, Rogge is pursuing a PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She specializes in data-driven navigation and control for autonomous surface vehicles in harsh conditions. Rogge became the first German woman in space during the Fram2 mission.

• Eric Philips: An Australian polar explorer and adventurer, Philips has completed over 30 polar expeditions. He compared the experience of the Fram2 mission to extreme Arctic conditions, emphasizing the harsh environment and the crew's preparedness.

Historical Context and Records

The Fram2 mission is named in homage to the Norwegian exploration ship Fram, which was used in expeditions to both the North and South Poles between 1893 and 1912. The crew carried a piece of the ship's teak deck to space, symbolizing the spirit of exploration. This mission set a new record for the highest orbital inclination of a crewed spaceflight, surpassing the previous record held by Vostok 6 in 1963.

Implications and Future Prospects

The success of the Fram2 mission underscores the expanding role of private entities in space exploration. It demonstrates the capabilities of commercial companies like SpaceX in conducting complex human spaceflight missions. The mission's scientific experiments provide valuable data on human health in microgravity, contributing to the preparation for future long-duration missions, such as those to Mars. Additionally, Rabea Rogge's participation as the first German woman in space marks a significant milestone in gender representation, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM fields and space exploration.

The Fram2 mission represents a significant step forward in human space exploration, combining private initiative with scientific research to achieve historic milestones. Its success paves the way for future missions that will continue to push the boundaries of our understanding and capabilities in space.