Besides documenting the poles from 430 km up, Wang and his crew took the first medical X-rays in space as part of a test and conducted two dozen other science experiments. They named their trip Fram2 after the Norwegian sailing ship that carried explorers to the poles more than a century ago.
Four space tourists who orbited the north and south poles returned to Earth on Friday, splashing down in the Pacific to end their privately funded polar tour. Bitcoin investor Chun Wang chartered a SpaceX flight for himself and three others in a Dragon capsule that was outfitted with a domed window that provided 360-degree views of the polar caps and everything in between. Wang declined to say how much he paid.
1. What was the purpose of this spaceflight?
The mission aimed to orbit both the North and South Poles while conducting scientific experiments and documenting Earth from 430 km above, including capturing unique views of the polar regions.2. Who funded and organized the trip?
The trip was privately funded by Bitcoin investor Chun Wang, who chartered a SpaceX Dragon capsule for the mission.
3. Who were the other passengers on the flight?
While Chun Wang was the sponsor, he was joined by three other space touts, though their identities have not been publicly disclosed in detail.
4. What is unique about this particular space mission?
This was the first privately funded spaceflight to orbit both Earth’s poles, offering a completely new orbital path compared to traditional equatorial orbits.
5. What scientific experiments were conducted during the trip?
The crew conducted over two dozen science experiments, including the first medical X-rays taken in space, as part of a research test.
6. What does the name “Fram2” mean?
The mission was named Fram2, inspired by the original Fram—a Norwegian sailing ship that carried polar explorers more than a century ago.
7. How long did the mission last?
The journey lasted approximately three and a half days, concluding with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.8. What special features did the Dragon capsule have for this trip?
The capsule was equipped with a domed window, allowing passengers to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Earth, including both polar ice caps.. How high above Earth did the capsule travel?
The capsule orbited at an altitude of around 430 kilometers, offering spectacular views of the planet’s surface and curvature.
10. Will there be more missions like Fram2 in the future?
While no official follow-up has been announced, the success of Fram2 could inspire similar privately funded space missions, especially for scientific research and extreme tourism.
