On April 1 2025, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) successfully launched ‘Fram2’ mission, which marks the 1st human spaceflight over Earth’s polar regions. The mission was lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule ‘Resilience’, from Launch Complex-39A at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the United States of America (USA).
- The mission is named after the Norwegian ‘Fram’ Ship which explored both poles in the early 20th Century.
- The privately funded mission carried 4 astronauts on 3-5 days orbital journey.
Points to Note:
i.Fram2 marks SpaceX’s 17th human spaceflight overall and its sixth mission launched for private clients.
ii.They are the 681st people to travel above the Kármán line and the 626th to enter Earth’s orbit.
About Crew Members:
i.Chun-Wang, a Chinese-born Maltese entrepreneur, founder of bitcoin mining company, who organised Fram2 mission will be the commander of this mission.
ii.Norwegian filmmaker, Jannicke Mikkelsen who is 1st space traveler from Norway, will be the vehicle commander of ‘Fram2’ mission.
- She has previously flown over the poles at lower altitudes during a 2019 Gulfstream jet mission celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo11 moon landing.
iii.Rabea Rogge, is a German robotics researcher with focus on Arctic technology, will be the pilot of this mission. With this, she became the 1st female orbital astronaut from Germany.
iv.Eric Phiips is an Australian polar explorer, conducted nearly 30 expeditions to Earth’s polar regions since 1992. He will serve as mission specialist as well as medical officer.
Key Experiments:
i.During their 5-day journey in orbit, the crew will conduct 22 research studies, which will largely focused on how spaceflight and zero gravity affect the human body.
ii.The crew will perform 1st X-ray imaging in space, which will provide new information about medical imaging in microgravity.
iii.The crew will study exercise regimens to reduce muscle atrophy and bone density loss in microgravity.
iv.The crew on the mission will conduct experiments to grow mushrooms to assess fungal behavior and potential food sustainability.
About Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Elon Musk
Headquarters- California, the United States of America (USA)
Founded- 2002
