Watch SpaceX Launch Historic Fram2 Crewed Mission over Earth’s Poles Tonight
Scientific AmericanMAR 17
SpaceX Launches First-Ever Polar Orbit Human Flight
Above:Â A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Fram2 mission astronauts aboard soars into orbit on March 31, 2025. Â Image copyright:Â Gregg Newton/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
The groundbreaking polar orbit mission is a significant advancement in human space exploration and demonstrates the increasing capabilities of commercial spaceflight technology. It offers unprecedented scientific opportunities to study Earth's poles from space and conduct vital research that could benefit future long-duration missions.
Techno-skeptic narrative
The mission highlights how private wealth is driving space innovation primarily for prestige and adventure rather than scientific necessity. It requires complex technical accommodations and additional fuel expenditures simply to achieve a novel flight path that could be seen as more of a marketing achievement than a practical advancement.