A historic mission took flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Monday night, as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying four first-time astronauts soared into a polar orbit. The crew, funded by Malta resident Chun Wang, includes Norwegian cinematographer Jannicke Mikkelsen, German arctic robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian polar guide Eric Philips.
The Fram2 mission launched at 9:46 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A amidst an off-shore band of thunderstorms, but the team was confident in their weather forecasting efforts. According to SpaceX Vice President Kiko Dontchev, this mission presents a unique challenge due to its free-flying nature and the need to predict weather conditions not only at the launch site but also during ascent and recovery.
The Falcon 9 rocket supporting the mission has previously launched crew to orbit twice, including the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station in September 2024. The Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft, carrying the astronauts on this six-flight booster, is SpaceX’s fourth trip to space.
For this historic polar orbit mission, the crew will spend 3.5- to 5-day periods conducting 22 science experiments and technology demonstrations. These include studies on glucose regulation, mushroom growth, and the impact of spaceflight on women’s reproductive health. The Fram2 mission marks a significant milestone in human exploration, with astronauts reaching an inclination of 90 degrees – the highest achieved by humans to date.
Cinematographer Jannicke Mikkelsen described this as a “marquee moment for human spaceflight,” adding that she feels privileged to be part of it. The mission is seen as a bold step forward in exploration, building on the achievements of Soviet cosmonauts like Yuri Gagarin and the space shuttle program.
As the Fram2 crew embarks on their epic journey, they will leave an indelible mark on human history – and inspire future generations of astronauts to reach for the stars.
Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/03/31/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-fram2-astronauts-to-polar-orbit-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-the-kennedy-space-center