SpaceX to Launch First-Ever Polar Orbit Crewed Mission
In a groundbreaking development for space tourism, four private individuals are set to become the first humans to fly over Earth’s poles later this year. The mission, dubbed Fram2, is funded by Bitcoin billionaire Chun Wang and will utilize SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Named after the Norwegian polar exploration ship that sailed the Arctic region between 1893 and 1912, Fram2 will mark the first crewed flight to launch into a polar orbit. The spacecraft is expected to fly at an altitude ranging from 250 to 310 miles above Earth’s surface.
The crew comprises an eclectic mix of professionals, including cinematographer and former polar navigator Jannicke Mikkelsen, professional polar explorer Eric Phillips, and roboticist Rabea Rogge. During their journey, the team will observe Earth’s poles from the Dragon’s cupola, with a particular focus on studying unusual light emissions resembling auroras.
Of special interest to the crew are emissions comparable to STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), which occur at altitudes of 249 to 311 miles above Earth’s atmosphere. This scientific endeavor adds a unique dimension to the mission, distinguishing it from other space tourism ventures.
While Fram2 represents a first in terms of its polar orbit, it is not the first private SpaceX mission. In 2021, billionaire Jared Isaacman commanded the Inspiration4 mission, which was SpaceX’s first privately-chartered launch and the world’s first all-civilian space mission. Isaacman is also slated to pilot the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, which will include the first civilian spacewalk.
The increasing frequency of such missions underscores the growing popularity of space tourism among the ultra-wealthy. However, the novelty of the Fram2 mission sets it apart from other space tourism ventures, potentially paving the way for more diverse and scientifically valuable private space expeditions.
As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of private space exploration, it’s worth noting that the company’s founder, Elon Musk, has faced criticism for contributing to space debris in Earth’s orbit. Nevertheless, missions like Fram2 demonstrate the ongoing evolution of space tourism and its potential to contribute to scientific research.
