Fram2 Mission and Polar Orbit | 04 Apr 2025

Source: TH 

SpaceX has launched the Fram2 mission, which lifted off aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  

  • This private spaceflight is the first human mission to follow a polar orbit (a trajectory never before traveled by humans) and aims to conduct research on spaceflight’s impact on the human body during a free-flying mission. 
  • Polar Orbit: It is a type of low Earth orbit (200–1000 km altitude) where satellites travel around Earth from, roughly, one pole to the other (may deviate up to 10 degrees from exact polar orbit), rather than from west to east.  
    • These orbits are ideal for global Earth observation as they provide complete surface coverage.

orbits

  • Traveling Through Polar vs Equatorial Orbit: 

Aspect 

Polar Orbit  

Equatorial Orbit  

Radiation Exposure 

Higher, due to weaker magnetic field at poles 

Lower, protected by Earth's magnetic field 

Fuel Requirements 

Higher, no rotational boost, more energy-intensive 

Lower, benefits from Earth's eastward rotation 

Rescue and Recovery 

More complex, remote polar regions, delayed support 

Easier, established recovery zones like Atlantic/Pacific 

Communications 

Challenging, limited ground stations at poles, mitigated recently 

Easier, mid-latitude ground stations well-supported 

Historical Use 

Rare for crewed, common for satellites, past projects canceled 

Common, e.g., ISS, Shuttle missions, well-established 

Read more: India's Satellite Launch by SpaceX