A Bitcoin entrepreneur has made history by launching into space aboard a SpaceX rocket. This mission marks the first time a manned spacecraft has circled the Earth over both the North and South Poles.
The fully automated Dragon capsule took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday night. It is part of SpaceX’s sixth private mission and is currently orbiting approximately 272 miles above the Earth at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour. The capsule is expected to take about 46 minutes to complete its pole-to-pole journey and around 90 minutes for a full orbit of the planet.
Chun Wang, the China-born Bitcoin tycoon who funded this mission, has not disclosed how much he paid for the trip. However, reports suggest that a seat in the reusable Dragon spacecraft costs around $55 million. Wang is joined by three friends on this unique adventure: German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, and Australian polar guide Eric Philips.
During the mission, the crew plans to conduct 22 scientific experiments, including the first human X-rays in space and attempts to grow mushrooms in microgravity. The journey will last between three to five days.
This mission, named Fram2, pays homage to a historic Norwegian polar research ship. No astronaut has previously traveled beyond 65 degrees latitude north and south, which is just shy of the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. Mikkelsen had flown a similar route in a Gulfstream jet back in 2019, but at a much lower altitude.
As the crew made their way to the launchpad, they witnessed another Falcon 9 rocket launch for SpaceX’s Starlink internet project. Wang expressed his excitement about the trip, noting that he had planned this spaceflight to mark his 1,000th journey, as part of his goal to visit every country in the world.
This mission not only showcases the advancements in private space travel but also highlights the growing intersection of space exploration and commercial interests.