SpaceX has launched a groundbreaking mission, sending a crew of four private astronauts on a trajectory never before attempted by humans—an orbit passing over both the North and South poles. The mission, named Fram2, is financed and commanded by crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang.
Crypto Pioneer Leads the Mission
Chun Wang, a Maltese investor originally from China, is the founder of F2Pool, one of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining pools. He also established Stakefish, an Ethereum staking pool provider. Wang and his crew lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 1:46 am UTC on April 1, aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. The mission is expected to last between three and five days.
Joining Wang are Norwegian film director Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher and polar scientist Rabea Rogge, and Australian adventurer Eric Philips. Their journey marks the first human spaceflight to traverse a polar orbit, a trajectory typically reserved for Earth-mapping, climate monitoring, and reconnaissance satellites.
Scientific Research in Space
Beyond the historic orbit, the crew will conduct 22 scientific experiments during the mission. These include taking the first X-ray in space and studying the feasibility of growing mushrooms in microgravity. The research is intended to advance human health in space and contribute to the study of long-duration spaceflight.
SpaceX’s Private Spaceflight Expansion
Fram2 is the 16th crewed mission to utilize SpaceX’s reusable Crew Dragon spacecraft. Initially developed with NASA funding, Crew Dragon has become the dominant platform for private orbital spaceflight. Unlike Boeing’s Starliner, which remains in development, Crew Dragon is currently the only privately built capsule regularly conducting missions.
The spaceflight market has evolved in recent years, shifting from wealthy private tourists to national space programs investing in crewed missions for prestige and technological advancement. With costs reaching approximately $55 million per seat, companies like Axiom Space contract SpaceX for missions involving government-backed astronauts.
The Vision Behind Fram2
Wang proposed the polar orbit concept to SpaceX in 2023, two years after U.S. entrepreneur Jared Isaacman chartered the first private orbital flights with the company. His vision aligns with the broader commercialization of space, making high-risk missions accessible to those outside traditional aerospace backgrounds.
SpaceX’s Vice President Kiko Dontchev emphasized the company’s commitment to refining astronaut training, stating last week that advancements allow “normal people” to participate in spaceflight and remain calm throughout the journey.
Fram2’s success could pave the way for more privately funded missions that expand humanity’s reach into space while highlighting the growing role of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in the industry.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.