Science

Unbelievable Polar Views: SpaceX's Fram2 Astronauts Capture Incredible Images from Orbit (Video)

2025-04-01

Author: Amelia

In an unprecedented milestone, astronauts undertaking SpaceX's Fram2 mission have revealed breathtaking views of Earth's north and south poles from space. These stunning images are the first of their kind, as the crew has embarked on a polar orbit that no astronauts have traversed before.

The mission, launched on March 31 at 9:46 PM EDT (0146 GMT on April 1), saw the SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience catapulted into low-Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket. Moments later, the crew of four — consisting of mission commander Chun Wang from Malta, vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen from Norway, mission pilot Rabea Rogge from Germany, and medical officer Eric Phillips from Australia — took charge of their spacecraft, now free to glide above some of the planet's least explored territories.

Upon reaching orbit, Wang shared a thrilling update, declaring the team as the "681st humans to fly above the Kármán line and the 626th to orbit the Earth." This historic flight is more than just a visual feast; it's also a scientific endeavor with ambitious plans in store. The mission name, Fram2, pays homage to a pioneering Norwegian ship that explored the Arctic and Antarctic in the early 20th century.

Early Tuesday, SpaceX unveiled mesmerizing video footage taken from the open nosecone of Resilience, showcasing a spectacular view of one of Earth’s poles blanketed in pristine white snow. "First views of Earth's polar regions from Dragon," SpaceX announced in their post, igniting excitement across social media platforms.

The Fram2 mission isn't just about exploration; it's a vessel for science. The crew is set to conduct nearly two dozen experiments designed to expand our understanding of human biology and space conditions. Notably, they plan to attempt the first-ever cultivation of mushrooms in space and take pivotal on-orbit X-rays of the human body. These experiments aim to shed light on how microgravity affects the human musculoskeletal system — a topic of great importance for future long-term space travel.

The mission duration is expected to last between two to four days, where the team will soak in unique scientific insights while navigating their polar route. Post mission, the Resilience spacecraft is slated for a daring splashdown in the Pacific Ocean — another first in SpaceX's crewed mission history.

As the world watches in fascination, the Fram2 mission holds the promise of revolutionary discoveries while offering a captivating glimpse into the beauty of our planet from above. Stay tuned as we continue to update you on their incredible journey!