SpaceX launches manned space mission to Earth's Orbit for interpolar journey

By Alimat Aliyeva

With the successful launch of the SpaceX Fram2 mission, a fully civilian crew is set to complete a groundbreaking flight that professional astronauts have never attempted: orbiting the Earth from pole to pole, Azernews reports.

The mission began with the launch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carried into space by a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft was placed into a 90-degree polar orbit, a path that will allow the crew to fly from the North Pole to the South Pole multiple times during the three-to-five-day mission.

While orbiting at an altitude of 267 miles, each orbit will take about 46 minutes. The crew will experience stunning views of Earth’s polar regions, conducting scientific experiments and capturing unique photographs along the way.

This privately funded mission is led by Chun Wang, a Maltese cryptocurrency entrepreneur, and includes a diverse team: Norwegian film director and cinematographer Yannick Mikkelsen, robotics researcher Rabia Rog from Berlin, and Eric Philips, a professional polar traveler. This marks the first spaceflight for all four crew members.

The Fram2 mission, named after the famous Norwegian polar research vessel Fram (meaning "forward"), is designed to observe and photograph Earth’s polar regions from low Earth orbit. The team also plans to conduct 22 experiments aimed at advancing long-term space missions and studying atmospheric phenomena, which could benefit future space exploration.

Mikkelsen, who serves as the commander of the mission, is known for his work in film directing and cinematography, specializing in next-generation technologies used for filming in extreme and remote environments, such as the Earth’s polar regions. His expertise in capturing footage in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth will be put to use as he leads the mission crew in documenting the incredible journey from space.

The Fram2 mission represents a significant leap in private space exploration, with a fully civilian crew pushing the boundaries of what has traditionally been the domain of professional astronauts. With growing interest in private space travel, the success of this mission could pave the way for more civilian-led ventures into space, offering new opportunities for scientific research and adventure tourism. The mission also highlights the growing role of technology and media in the exploration of our planet and beyond.