TL;DR
- Historic Polar Orbit: Bitcoin investor and entrepreneur Chun Wang funds SpaceX’s Fram2 mission, marking the first crewed journey to orbit both the North and South Poles.
- Diverse Crew & Unique Trajectory: The 3–5 day mission, featuring experts like filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen and robotics engineer Rabea Rogge, executes a polar orbit with a full Earth loop every 90 minutes.
- Pioneering Scientific Experiments: The mission will conduct breakthrough space experiments—from human X-rays and advanced Starlink communications to sustainable food research—ushering in a new era for private spaceflight.
SpaceX has launched the Fram2 mission, marking a historic moment in human spaceflight. This privately funded expedition, led by Chun Wang, a Chinese-born Bitcoin entrepreneur, is the first crewed mission to orbit both the North and South Poles.
Wang, co-founder of the Bitcoin mining company f2pool, personally financed the mission, though the cost remains undisclosed. The Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket.
Unlike traditional equatorial orbits, Fram2 follows a polar trajectory, allowing the crew to complete a full Earth orbit every 90 minutes, including a 46-minute pole-to-pole transit.
While the @framonauts prepare for their polar orbit mission, learn about the first-time space fliers:
• Mission Commander Chun Wang
• Vehicle Commander Jannicke Mikkelsen
• Mission Pilot Rabea Rogge
• Mission Specialist/Medical Officer Eric Philipshttps://t.co/VMVnUbdrtd pic.twitter.com/EcjMyiyHBR— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) March 31, 2025
Meet the Fram2 Crew
Wang is joined by three accomplished explorers, each bringing unique expertise to the mission:
- Jannicke Mikkelsen – A Norwegian filmmaker and cinematographer, known for her work documenting extreme environments.
- Rabea Rogge – A German robotics engineer specializing in Arctic research and autonomous systems.
- Eric Philips – An Australian polar guide with extensive experience navigating the Arctic and Antarctic.
The crew underwent eight months of intensive training to prepare for the mission, which will last between three and five days.
Scientific Breakthroughs in Space
Fram2 is more than an adventure—it’s a scientific endeavor. The team will conduct over two dozen experiments, including:
- The first human X-rays in space provided insights into radiation exposure.
- Testing advanced in-space communication systems using SpaceX’s Starlink network.
- Biomedical studies on the effects of polar orbit on the human body.
- The first attempt to grow mushrooms in space, exploring sustainable food production for long-duration missions.
A New Perspective on Earth
As the capsule reached orbit, SpaceX Launch Control radioed the crew: “Enjoy the views of the poles. Send us some pictures.” For Wang, this mission is about pushing boundaries and sharing knowledge.
Having explored the polar regions firsthand, he now aims to observe them from space, offering a new perspective on Earth’s most remote landscapes. With Fram2 blazing a trail for private spaceflight, the mission could pave the way for future commercial expeditions, making space more accessible than ever before.
