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3w ago

SpaceX's Fram2 Mission Completes Historic Polar Orbit with Pacific Splashdown

The privately funded mission, carrying four civilians, concludes with a planned unassisted crew exit after groundbreaking research and imagery from Earth's polar regions.

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.
The Fram2 crew pose during a training exercise (from left): Eric Philips, Rabea Rogge, Jannicke Mikkelsen and Chun Wang.
Image
© SpaceX

Overview

  • The Fram2 mission, the first human spaceflight to orbit Earth's North and South poles, concluded with a Pacific Ocean splashdown off the California coast at 9:19 a.m. PDT on April 4, 2025.
  • The mission, funded by cryptocurrency entrepreneur Chun Wang, carried four civilians from four countries who conducted 22 scientific experiments, including the first X-ray taken in space.
  • SpaceX's Dragon Resilience, modified with a cupola window for panoramic views, completed its fourth trip to space during the five-day mission.
  • The crew captured unprecedented imagery of Earth's Arctic and Antarctic regions, which they plan to share post-mission.
  • As part of a final experiment, the crew aims to exit the spacecraft without operational or medical assistance, testing astronaut recovery capabilities after spaceflight.