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SpaceX Fram2 Crew Returns After Historic Polar Orbit Mission

The first human spaceflight to orbit Earth's poles concludes with a Pacific splashdown, marking a milestone in private space exploration and research.

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From left to right, mission specialist and medical officer Eric Philips, mission commander Chun Wang, pilot Rabea Rogge and vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen are the crew of Fram2.
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Overview

  • The Fram2 mission, led by Bitcoin entrepreneur Chun Wang, became the first human spaceflight to orbit Earth's North and South poles.
  • The crew conducted 22 groundbreaking experiments, including the first X-ray in space, and captured rare imagery of Earth's polar regions.
  • The mission concluded on April 4, 2025, with a Pacific Ocean splashdown, the first for a crewed spacecraft in 50 years.
  • All four crew members exited the Dragon capsule unassisted, testing post-spaceflight functionality for future missions.
  • Fram2 highlights the growing role of private funding in space exploration, with SpaceX advancing its capabilities for commercial human spaceflight.