A private crew of astronauts that includes a cinematographer and an explorer, and commanded by a wealthy bitcoin entrepreneur, will be the first human spaceflight to go over Earth’s polar region.
SpaceX just announced its upcoming private mission, which will see a crewed Dragon spacecraft launch into a polar orbit. Fram2, named in honor of the original ship that reached both Earth’s Arctic and Antarctic regions, will be commanded by Chun Wang of Malta, founder of the bitcoin mining companies f2pool and stakefish. The rest of the eclectic crew includes Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian cinematographer; Eric Philips, an Australian polar adventurer; and Rabea Rogge, a German robotics researcher.
This will be the first trip to space for all crew members involved in the mission. “Wang aims to use the mission to highlight the crew’s explorational spirit, bring a sense of wonder and curiosity to the larger public, and highlight how technology can help push the boundaries of exploration of Earth and through the mission’s research,” SpaceX wrote.
The crew will launch on board a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida; the mission is designed to last for three to five days, according to SpaceX. Fram2 aims to explore Earth from a polar orbit, flying over the planet’s polar region at an altitude of around 265 to 280 miles (425 to 450 kilometers) above the ground.
No previous crew of astronauts has ever looked down upon Earth from a polar orbit, which has an inclination of about 60 to 90 degrees to the equator. Polar orbits are generally used by Earth-observing satellites and reconnaissance missions. The orbital path of the International Space Station passes over 90% of the Earth, with the exception of latitudes north of 51.6 degrees in the northern hemisphere, or south of 51.6 degrees in the southern hemisphere. Flying through the polar region is generally avoided in spaceflight, with one reason being the higher-than-usual radiation exposure, including the risks associated with increased auroral activity, according to NASA.
Fram2 could launch as early as this year, according to SpaceX. The company is also gearing up to launch another private mission in late August. Polaris Dawn will be commanded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, in a mission that seeks to conduct the first private space walk.
