crew of Fram2 from left to right: Eric Philips, Jannicke Mikkelsen, Chun Wang, and Rabea Rogge. “>Enlarge / The crew of Fram2 from left to right: Eric Philips, Jannicke Mikkelsen, Chun Wang, and Rabea Rogge. (credit: SpaceX)
Pioneering Human Spaceflight Over Earth’s Poles by SpaceX
In an extraordinary announcement made on Monday, SpaceX revealed its plan to conduct the first human spaceflight mission over the poles of our planet. This groundbreaking endeavor is slated to occur as early as this year. Leading the mission will be Chun Wang, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur originally from China, joined by three companions including a polar adventurer, a robotics expert, and a filmmaker.
The Fram2 Mission: A Nod to Polar Exploration History
Titled “Fram2,” after the renowned Norwegian research vessel Fram known for Arctic exploration (see more at Fram Museum), this mission aims to chart a course through a polar corridor using launch facilities in Florida. The spacecraft is set for an exhilarating journey that will take it directly over both the North and South Poles.
Aiming for Optimal Conditions in Antarctica
This exciting three-to-five day voyage has been strategically scheduled to coincide with summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere over Antarctica—providing nearly endless daylight ideal for observing and documenting ice formations.
Crew Dragon Endurance: Embracing Exploratory Spirit
The crew will travel aboard Crew Dragon *Endurance*, aptly named after Ernest Shackleton’s emblematic ship that entered history when it became trapped by Antarctic ice about one hundred years ago before ultimately sinking. The spacecraft is designed with advanced features including a cupola specifically intended for capturing spectacular photos and videos throughout the journey.
This remarkable undertaking represents not just another step in space exploration but also highlights humanity’s relentless quest for discovery across Earth’s most remote locales.
