SpaceX Launches Fram2 Mission, First Human Flight Over Earth's Poles

SpaceX successfully launched the Fram2 mission on March 31, 2025, marking the first human spaceflight to orbit Earth over the polar regions. The mission, led by Chinese-born entrepreneur Chun Wang and supported by an international crew, aims to conduct 22 research experiments, including the first X-ray in space. The Crew Dragon capsule Resilience lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, following a trajectory that took it directly south, allowing the astronauts to experience a unique orbital path over both the North and South poles. This mission is significant not only for its route but also as the sixth private astronaut mission by SpaceX, showcasing a departure from traditional mission profiles. Wang emphasized the importance of exploring largely ignored polar areas, and the mission is expected to contribute valuable data to the science community. The Fram2 crew includes vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen from Norway, pilot Rabea Rogge from Germany, and medical officer Eric Philips from Australia.