In a historic milestone for Australia, polar explorer Eric Philips is set to become the first Australian to journey into orbit carrying the national flag. This groundbreaking mission, which includes three other participants and is led by cryptocurrency entrepreneur Chun Wang, will see them launch in a SpaceX capsule designed to circle the Earth’s poles—an unprecedented achievement in human spaceflight.
Scheduled to take off from Florida during a 4.5-hour window starting at 9:46 PM on a Monday (1:46 PM AEDT Tuesday), this mission gives Philips a unique opportunity to apply his extensive experience in navigating extreme environments. “My whole life these past 40 years really has shaped me for this moment,” he remarked, highlighting his excitement about the voyage over regions he has spent decades exploring.
The journey, named Fram2, pays homage to early polar explorations and could last approximately 3.5 days. In addition to the extraordinary flight path, the crew aims to conduct scientific research by attempting to cultivate mushrooms during the mission, potentially paving the way for future food sources for astronauts.
Chun Wang, the financier of the mission, made his fortune in bitcoin mining and has personally sponsored this endeavour. Alongside Philips, Wang is joined by two other explorers—Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen and German robotics expert Rabea Rogge—none of whom has prior space travel experience. “My own journey has been shaped by lifelong curiosity and the fascination with pushing boundaries,” Wang stated.
Fram2 is distinctive as it launches the crew directly over the Earth’s poles—a flight path that not only requires more fuel but also offers a perspective of the planet that is typically inaccessible. Past missions, including the Soviet Vostok 6 in 1963, have not directly traversed this route, making this venture a notable first.
While some experts express scepticism regarding the scientific value of polar orbits, they recognise the mission’s potential impact on expanding private sector space travel. As noted by Dr Joshua Prussing, professor emeritus of aerospace engineering, the scientific advantages are debated, yet he acknowledged the value of the experience as a thrilling endeavour and a part of the growing normalcy of commercial space travel.
Ultimately, while the Fram2 mission may not represent a groundbreaking scientific advance, its significance lies in its unique path and the pioneering spirit of the diverse crew, marking a new chapter in the burgeoning field of private space exploration.