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Fram2 crewmembers (left to right) Eric Philips, Jannicke Mikkelse, commander Chun Wang and Rabea Rogge.
HOUSTON—SpaceX has announced plans for its sixth commercial private astronaut mission, Fram2, which aims to launch no sooner than late 2024.
Led by Chun Wang, a Maltese entrepreneur and adventurer, the four-person mission aboard a Crew Dragon capsule would become the first crewed mission to circle the Earth in a polar orbit.
“Wang aims to use the mission to highlight the crew’s exploration spirit, bring a sense of wonder and curiosity to the larger public, and highlight how technology can help push the boundaries of exploration of Earth and through the mission’s research,” SpaceX said Aug. 12.
Wang is to be joined by three other first-time space fliers: Norway’s Jannicke Mikkelsen, the Fram2 commander; Australia’s Eric Philips, the pilot; and Germany’s Rabea Rogge, a mission specialist.
After a Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, the Fram2 crew intends to observe polar region atmospheric phenomena from an altitude of 425 to 450 km (264 to 280 mi.) over a three- to five-day mission.
“The crew will also work with SpaceX to conduct a variety of research to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body, which includes capturing the first human X-ray images in space, Just-in-Time training tools and studying the effects of spaceflight on behavioral health, all of which will help in the development of tools needed to prepare humanity for future long-duration spaceflight,” the SpaceX announcement says.
The mission is named for Fram, a sailing vessel built in Norway for expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The vessel is now housed at the Fram - The Polar Exploration Museum in Oslo.
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