The first crewed mission to orbit Earth from pole to pole was funded by a private, global citizen with a passion for extreme environments—and the money to make it happen. When SpaceX’s Fram2 mission splashed down near Oceanside, California, yesterday, it completed a five-day journey across the poles and marked the beginning of something new: orbital travel as the next polar adventure accolade.
Fram2 carried a team of experienced Arctic and Antarctic professionals—adventurers who have skied to the ends of the Earth, built careers on exploring remote places, and now found a way to take that spirit to orbit. They didn’t earn their way to space through military training or doctoral research. They were invited by a friend, a fellow adventurer, who saw them as trustworthy colleagues, experts in their niche, and kindred spirits who would share the greatest possible appreciation fo…
