A SpaceX rocket launched on Monday night from Florida, marking the first time a crew has traveled into orbit, passing over both of Earth’s poles. This type of orbit allows a spacecraft to observe the whole planet as it rotates. Although this mission may not be groundbreaking from a scientific standpoint, since many weather, mapping, and spy satellites already follow this polar or near-polar path, it did draw some attention. Financed by Chun Wang, an investor in blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, the mission, dubbed Fram2, will last between three to five days. Mr. Wang, along with three other individuals he selected, are currently orbiting approximately 270 miles above Earth in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, repeatedly passing over the North and South Poles.
Born in Tianjin, China, Mr. Wang, 42, became a citizen of Malta in 2023, which is represented on his spacesuit. The Fram2 mission statement claims that the launch “unlocks new possibilities for human spaceflight and provides a deeper understanding” about Earth and its polar regions. However, Dr. Bleddyn Bowen, an associate professor in astropolitics at Durham University in England, described the mission as “run of the mill,” stating that human spaceflights always aim for new discoveries and that from the perspective of launch operators in Florida, it serves as additional practice in managing a polar launch.
The crew composition is what Dr. Bowen found more interesting. Given that human spaceflight is expensive, often funded by affluent individuals who are passionate about space travel, there are questions about whether commercial interest in space travel could sustain initiatives such as a commercial space station. The other crew members include Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian explorer Eric Philips, who specializes in expeditions to the polar regions. Mr. Wang named the mission after the Fram, a Norwegian ship that conducted Arctic exploration in the 19th century.
Upon mission concluded, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to land off the coast of Southern California. SpaceX has previously launched private astronauts, including on a mission last year led by billionaire Jared Isaacman. Blue Origin, a rival company owned by Jeff Bezos, has been taking private astronauts on brief suborbital flights since 2021, with its next all-female crew launch planned for April 14, featuring TV journalist Gayle King and singer Katy Perry.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/world/asia/spacex-rocket-launch.html
