Fram2 astronauts ready for historic polar orbit mission with SpaceX

On April 1, 2025, astronauts from Fram2 engaged in intensive preparations for their upcoming mission with SpaceX, which aims to be the first crewed mission to polar orbit. This groundbreaking mission will begin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew consists of four international astronauts: Chun Wang from Malta, Jannicke Mikkelsen from Norway, Rabea Rogge from Germany, and Eric Philips from Australia. The astronauts have undergone over eight months of extensive training, which included dry dress rehearsals, simulations, and emergency preparedness drills to ensure they were fully equipped for the challenges of space travel. SpaceX has outlined a precise launch plan, targeting the liftoff at 9:46 PM ET on April 1, 2025, with three additional opportunities within a 4.5-hour window in case of delays. The Fram2 mission aims to achieve a 90-degree circularized orbit over Earth’s polar regions, something that has not been visible to astronauts in previous missions, with exceptions made during the Apollo lunar missions. The crew will spend several days in orbit, conducting 22 research studies. These studies are designed to enhance human understanding of long-duration spaceflight and health in space. One significant aspect of this mission is its intention to cultivate mushrooms in space. This initiative, backed by FOODiQ Global, marks a pioneering attempt in microgravity to grow a crop deliberately. Researchers believe that mushrooms may play a vital role in future exploratory missions to the Moon and Mars due to their nutritional properties, particularly their ability to generate vitamin D when exposed to UV light. The idea of using mycelium and mushroom cultivation on long-duration flights is seen as part of a broader strategy to develop sustainable food sources for astronauts. The unpredictability of food supplies in deep-space missions presents challenges, and so research into the viability of mushrooms as a crop could lay important groundwork for future missions where crew efficacy and health are paramount. The astronauts expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to continue the legacy of space exploration, emphasizing the importance of innovative research as they prepare to capture the Earth's polar regions from low-Earth orbit.