March 31, 2025, Seoul – A historic moment that will open new horizons in space exploration is just hours away.
SpaceX’s Fram2 mission is scheduled to launch today at 9:46 PM ET (April 1, 10:46 AM KST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission will be a historic endeavor as the first human spaceflight to Earth’s polar orbit.
90-Degree Inclined Orbit: Flying Directly Over the North and South Poles
The most notable feature of the Fram2 mission is its 90-degree inclined polar orbit. This trajectory allows the spacecraft to pass directly over the North and South Poles, a path never before attempted by any human spaceflight.
This flight will be conducted using the Crew Dragon spacecraft Resilience aboard a Falcon 9 rocket and will orbit Earth at an altitude of approximately 425-450 kilometers for three to five days. The spacecraft is equipped with a cupola window for panoramic Earth views, allowing the crew to enjoy the unique landscape of the polar regions.
“Unlike traditional equatorial orbits, polar orbits provide access to all latitudes on Earth. This is a significant advantage for scientific observation and research,” explains Professor Min-ho Park from Seoul National University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering.
Multinational Civilian Space Explorers as Crew Members
The Fram2 mission will carry four multinational crew members:
- Chun Wang (Mission Commander): A Maltese entrepreneur and polar explorer who funded the mission.
- Jannicke Mikkelsen (Vehicle Commander): A Norwegian filmmaker and the first European astronaut to command a spacecraft.
- Rabea Rogge (Mission Specialist): A German robotics researcher and the first German woman in space.
- Eric Philips (Vehicle Pilot): An Australian polar adventurer.
All crew members are civilians, representing an important milestone in the increasingly active field of private space exploration.
“This mission demonstrates that space exploration is no longer exclusively a government-led activity but is also open to private companies and individuals,” says Dr. Ji-yeon Kim from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Scientific Goals: From Health in Space to Mushroom Cultivation
The Fram2 mission has various scientific objectives beyond space tourism. The most notable experiments include:
- First X-ray Images in Space: Capturing the first X-ray images of humans in microgravity to study the effects of the space environment on the human body.
- Observation of Polar Atmospheric Phenomena: Observing STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), characterized by purple and green atmospheric streaks particularly visible above polar regions.
- Mission MushVroom: The first attempt to grow oyster mushrooms in microgravity, exploring the possibility of food production for future long-term space missions.
“Oyster mushrooms are ideal as space food because they grow quickly, are nutritious, and can grow well on recycled materials,” explains Dr. Hyun-chul Shin, a space agriculture expert from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology. “The success of this experiment will be a great help for long-term missions to places like Mars.”
A New Milestone in Reusable Rocket Technology
The Falcon 9 booster supporting this mission has flown five previous missions, marking the first time a crewed flight will use a booster with such extensive prior use.
SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology is playing a crucial role in reducing the cost of spaceflight and increasing accessibility.
“Improving the economics of space exploration is essential for sustainable space development,” says researcher Tae-hee Lee from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). “SpaceX’s booster reuse technology is making a significant contribution to achieving this goal.”
An Important Step Toward Future Mars Exploration
The data collected by the Fram2 mission is expected to play a crucial role in preparing for longer space missions and deep space exploration. In particular, experience in polar orbits will provide important insights for planning human missions to places like Mars.
“Fram2’s scientific experiments will make an important contribution to understanding how humans can live longer and healthier in space,” says Professor Gil-dong Hong, an aerospace medicine expert from Yonsei University Medical School. “This is a challenge that must be solved on the way to Mars.”
Live Launch Broadcast and Future Prospects
SpaceX will broadcast the Fram2 mission launch live through its official website and YouTube channel this evening (US time). In Korea, viewing will be possible from 10:46 AM tomorrow.
If this mission succeeds, it is expected to open new horizons for space exploration and scientific research in polar orbits. Additionally, the importance of space exploration led by private space companies is expected to increase.
“The future of space exploration will be shaped not only by government-led programs but also by private companies like SpaceX,” predicts Professor Ji-young Park, a space policy expert from Ewha Womans University. “Missions like Fram2 are important examples of how our approach to space is changing.”
Further coverage of the results and significance of this historic spaceflight will follow after the mission concludes.