In a groundbreaking venture into space tourism, a crew of four passengers led by a cryptocurrency billionaire is preparing to embark on the Fram2 mission. This remarkable journey will take them aboard a SpaceX capsule, allowing them to fly directly over the Earth's poles for the very first time. Scheduled for liftoff from a Florida launchpad, the mission is set to begin during a 4.5-hour window that opens at 9:46 p.m. ET on Monday.
Financed by Malta-based investor Chun Wang, the Fram2 mission honors the legacy of the Norwegian ship Fram, which facilitated key explorations of the North and South poles in the early 20th century. Wang, who acquired his wealth through bitcoin mining operations, has paid SpaceX an undisclosed fee for this pioneering venture. Joining him on this historic flight are three adventurous polar explorers: Norwegian film director Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian adventurer Eric Philips. Remarkably, none of the crew members have prior experience in space travel.
The Fram2 mission aims to conduct a unique exploration that combines the excitement of space tourism with the crew's passion for polar exploration. This mission follows in the footsteps of other notable space tourism flights, such as SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission in 2021. What sets Fram2 apart is its intention to fly over the Earth's poles—a feat that has never been accomplished by humans from space. This requires a more fuel-intensive flight path compared to traditional orbits closer to the equator.
During this mission, the crew will actively contribute to scientific research by providing valuable data on how their bodies respond to weightlessness and motion sickness, a common challenge faced by astronauts. The Fram2 mission is expected to last between three to five days, culminating in a splashdown landing off the coast of California.
While experts acknowledge the uniqueness of this mission, some have expressed skepticism regarding its scientific value. Dr. John Prussing, professor emeritus of aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, raised questions about the mission's significance, suggesting that it may not provide groundbreaking scientific insights. However, other experts believe that the Fram2 mission's primary value lies in its potential to inspire excitement in space exploration and gather health data.
The Fram2 crew's journey will also contribute to ongoing research into human physiology in space. All four passengers will undergo MRI scans similar to those conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission, aiming to deepen the understanding of how microgravity affects fluid dynamics in the brain. Dr. Mark Rosenberg, a neurologist involved in the study, emphasized that the mission will help researchers explore potential brain changes that may occur during shorter space flights.
Another aspect of the research will focus on space adaptation syndrome, a form of motion sickness that affects many astronauts. Torin Clark, an associate professor of aerospace engineering sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, is leading the motion sickness research for Fram2. Understanding how to mitigate symptoms of space adaptation syndrome could improve the experience for future short-term missions.
In a significant step towards closing the gender data gap in space exploration, the Fram2 crew will participate in research spearheaded by the British tech startup Hormona. The female members of the crew, Mikkelsen and Rogge, will use urine testing strips to monitor how spaceflight impacts their hormone levels. This research aims to address the lack of data about women's experiences in space, as only about 15% of the over 700 people who have traveled to space have been women.
The Fram2 mission will involve a total of 22 science and research experiments, including attempts to exercise in microgravity—a first for the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Additionally, the crew will explore the possibility of growing mushrooms in space, contributing to research on sustainable food sources for long-duration missions. They will also observe polar light shows, specifically aurora phenomena, from their unique orbital path.
Mikkelsen has invited the public to participate in the SolarMaX project by capturing auroras from Earth as Fram2 flies overhead. This collaborative effort will enhance the understanding of unexplained light phenomena such as Steve, a notable aurora-related occurrence. Participants can register on the SolarMaX website to contribute to this groundbreaking research.
As the Fram2 mission approaches, it promises to be a thrilling chapter in the ongoing story of space exploration, pushing the boundaries of what private space travel can achieve and inspiring future generations of explorers.
