SpaceX is preparing to launch the first commercial human spaceflight mission to explore Earth from polar orbit and conduct the first flyover of the Earth’s polar regions. The crew will observe the region at an altitude of 425-450 km for several days.
To date, SpaceX has already had significant success in space technology development. Over the past four years, the company has launched thirteen human spaceflight missions, safely transporting 50 crew members to and from Earth orbit. This has created new and greater opportunities for humanity. A total of 46 Dragon missions to orbit have delivered critical cargo, scientific research, and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Now, the company is also enabling commercial astronauts to explore Earth’s orbit.
SpaceX is scheduled to launch its sixth commercial Dragon Falcon 9 mission, called Fram2, later this year. It will be the first human spaceflight mission to explore Earth from a polar orbit and the first flyover of the Earth’s polar regions. The mission, named after the ship that helped explorers first reach Earth’s Arctic and Antarctic regions, will be commanded by Chun Wang, an entrepreneur and adventurer from Malta. He aims “to use the mission to highlight the crew’s spirit of exploration, generate a sense of wonder and curiosity in the general public, and demonstrate how technology can help push the boundaries of Earth exploration and through the mission’s research,” SpaceX said in a press release.
Wang will be joined on the mission by a team of international adventurers: Norway’s Jannicke Mikkelsen, vehicle commander; Australia’s Eric Philips, vehicle pilot; and Germany’s Rabea Rogge, mission specialist. This will be the first spaceflight for each of the crew members.
The mission will last 3-5 days. The crew plans to observe Earth’s polar regions through the Dragon’s cupola at an altitude of 425–450 km and study unusual light emissions resembling auroras. The crew will study green fragments and mauve ribbons of continuous emissions comparable to the phenomenon known as STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), which has been measured at an altitude of approximately 400–500 km above Earth’s atmosphere. The Dragon crew will also work with SpaceX to conduct a variety of studies to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body. This includes obtaining the first X-ray images of a human in space, Just-in-Time training tools, and studying the effects of spaceflight on behavioral health, all of which will help develop the tools needed to prepare humanity for future long-duration spaceflight.
