Bitcoin Entrepreneur and Three Crewmates Set for SpaceX Flight Around Earth’s Poles

A group of diverse individuals, including a blockchain entrepreneur, a cinematographer, a polar adventurer, and a robotics researcher, are gearing up for an extraordinary journey around Earth’s poles aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. This groundbreaking mission, set to take place by the end of the year, will mark the first time humans will have the opportunity to observe the ice caps and extreme polar environments from orbit, as announced by SpaceX on Monday.

Leading the historic flight will be Chun Wang, a prominent figure in the world of Bitcoin who is known for founding f2pool and stakefish, two significant entities in the realms of Bitcoin mining pools and Ethereum staking. The crew, under Wang’s command, aims to showcase their explorational spirit, instill a sense of wonder and curiosity in the public, and emphasize the role of technology in expanding the boundaries of Earth exploration and research.

Joining Wang on this remarkable journey are Jannicke Mikkelsen, a cinematographer from Norway, Eric Philips, an Australian adventurer, and Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher from Germany. All four members share a keen interest in exploring extreme polar environments and intend to conduct research and photography activities during their time in orbit.

Dubbed “Fram2” in homage to a Norwegian vessel that extensively explored the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the mission is scheduled to last between three to five days, with the Crew Dragon flying at altitudes ranging from approximately 265 to 280 miles above Earth’s surface.

Notable figures in the space industry, like billionaire philanthropist Jared Isaacman, have expressed admiration for the mission, highlighting its well-thought-out nature and wishing the crew success on their adventure. Isaacman, who orchestrated the first private SpaceX mission, Inspiration4, and is set to embark on another flight, Polaris Dawn, later this month, sees missions like Fram2 as pivotal in showcasing the capabilities of commercial space endeavors facilitated by SpaceX and NASA’s commercial crew program.

Similar to the Inspiration4 mission, Wang and his team will have the privilege of experiencing Earth from a unique vantage point in a Crew Dragon equipped with a transparent cupola, offering them unparalleled views of our planet and the vastness of space beyond. The mission’s polar orbit, inclined 90 degrees to the equator, presents a perspective never before witnessed by astronauts or cosmonauts, opening up new possibilities for human space exploration.

As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space travel, with multiple successful missions under its belt, including those in collaboration with NASA and commercial ventures like Inspiration4, the upcoming Fram2 flight represents another significant milestone in human spaceflight. With a rich history of space exploration and pioneering achievements, SpaceX and its partners are poised to unlock new frontiers in the realm of space travel and research.