m2 mission commander Chun Wang, a cryptocurrency billionaire who commissioned SpaceX for this flight, captured this view of Antarctica during a three-day stay in orbit around Earth's poles. Chun Wang/Fram2
SpaceX is concluding a significant chapter in its commercial human spaceflight endeavors with the return of the Fram2 mission. This expedition, featuring four passengers, marked a historic first as it allowed humans to travel directly over both the North and South poles.
Led by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, the Fram2 crew had been in free flight since Monday. They successfully splashed down at 9:19 a.m. PT (12:19 p.m. ET) off the coast of California, making it the first West Coast landing in SpaceX’s five-year history of crewed missions. The company televised the splashdown and recovery on its website.
During their journey, the crew conducted various research projects, including capturing images of polar auroras and documenting their experiences with motion sickness. Wang shared that the initial hours in microgravity were challenging, stating, “Space motion sickness hit all of us. We felt nauseous and ended up vomiting a couple of times.”
Utilizing a bulbous cupola window on the Crew Dragon capsule, the crew was able to observe the sights below. Wang remarked on the stunning views, noting that Antarctica appeared “only pure white” with “no human activity visible” from space.
Joining Wang were Norwegian film director Jannicke Mikkelsen, Germany-based robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian adventurer Eric Philips, all of whom share connections to polar exploration. This privately funded mission permitted crew members to pursue their interests while conducting 22 research experiments, many designed by SpaceX, focusing on crew health during spaceflight.
Upon returning to Earth, the crew executed an “egress experiment,” testing their ability to exit the spacecraft independently. Previously, astronauts were typically assisted post-mission, but this initiative aimed to assess their readiness for self-extraction after reentry.
Surprisingly, the crew’s mission to achieve a polar orbit is a significant milestone; no crewed mission has previously traveled directly over Earth’s poles from orbit. Unlike the International Space Station, which orbits near the equator, the Fram2 mission achieved a 90-degree orbital inclination.
The expedition’s results hold potential implications for future human space exploration, with advancements in understanding how humans can live and work effectively in confined spaces—critical for potential Mars missions.
The Fram2 crew also engaged in health research, with Mikkelsen and Rogge using urine testing strips to monitor hormone levels and assessing how spaceflight affects women. They even attempted to grow mushrooms in a microgravity environment.
Dr. Eric Donovan, an expert on auroras, expressed excitement about the possibility of capturing unprecedented images of auroras and similar phenomena from space—something that has rarely been done before.
This mission has reinforced the potential for self-funded space expeditions, allowing for unique, innovative scientific research and personal exploration beyond traditional governmental space programs.
Credit: CNN
