Historic Fram2 Mission Concludes with Successful Splashdown off California Coast

Southern California, April 4, 2025 – The groundbreaking Fram2 mission, the first human spaceflight to orbit Earth’s polar regions, concluded today with a successful splashdown of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, Resilience, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California. The four-person civilian crew touched down at approximately 12:19 p.m. ET (9:19 a.m. PT), marking the end of a nearly four-day journey that has redefined the boundaries of private space exploration.

Launched on March 31 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Fram2 mission made history as the first crewed flight to traverse a polar orbit, offering unprecedented views of Earth’s Arctic and Antarctic regions. The crew, consisting of Maltese cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, Norwegian vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, German pilot Rabea Rogge, and Australian mission specialist Eric Philips, spent their time in orbit conducting 22 scientific experiments, including a novel attempt to grow mushrooms in microgravity.

The splashdown, which occurred at around 4:19 p.m. UTC near coordinates 117.7W, 33.0N, was a milestone for SpaceX as it marked the first time a Dragon spacecraft carrying humans has landed in the Pacific Ocean. Previous crewed missions had primarily splashed down off the Florida coast, but this shift to the West Coast was designed to reduce the risk of debris from the spacecraft’s expendable trunk impacting populated areas during reentry. SpaceX recovery teams quickly retrieved Resilience and hoisted it aboard the recovery vessel Shannon, where the crew emerged unassisted—a deliberate choice to simulate conditions for future Mars missions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Fram2 crew back to Earth after an extraordinary mission,” SpaceX announced via social media shortly after the splashdown. “Their journey over the poles has opened new frontiers for human spaceflight and scientific discovery.”

The crew’s return was broadcast live, with viewers watching as the Dragon capsule descended under its main parachutes, slowing from orbital speeds of 17,500 mph to a gentle 16 mph upon hitting the water. The astronauts, visibly elated, waved to recovery teams as they exited the spacecraft on their own, setting a precedent for autonomous crew operations in spaceflight.

Chun Wang, who funded and commanded the mission, described the experience as “a dream realized.” Speaking from the recovery vessel, he said, “Seeing Earth’s poles from space was humbling. This mission wasn’t just about exploration—it was about pushing the limits of what we believe is possible.”

Jannicke Mikkelsen, the first European woman to command a spacecraft, highlighted the scientific achievements of the mission. “From capturing auroral data to conducting experiments that could benefit future long-duration spaceflight, we’ve laid groundwork that will inspire generations,” she said. Mikkelsen also waved to her supporters in Svalbard during a flyover, a moment she shared with followers online.

The Fram2 mission, named after the Norwegian ship that explored polar regions in the early 20th century, has been hailed as a triumph of commercial spaceflight. The crew’s polar orbit—a 90-degree inclination trajectory—took them over regions never before seen by humans from space, offering stunning visuals of icy landscapes and contributing to research on Earth’s climate and magnetic fields.

Among the experiments conducted was “MushVroom,” which tested fungal growth in microgravity, and exercise studies aimed at maintaining muscle mass during extended space missions. The crew also collaborated with citizen scientists on Earth to photograph auroras simultaneously from space and the ground, enriching our understanding of these phenomena.

As the astronauts recover and debrief, the success of Fram2 is expected to pave the way for more ambitious private missions. SpaceX’s shift to Pacific splashdowns signals a new phase in its operational strategy, potentially streamlining future recoveries as the company eyes missions to the Moon and Mars.

For now, the Fram2 crew is back on solid ground, their historic journey a testament to the growing role of private enterprise in humanity’s quest to explore the cosmos. As Eric Philips remarked, “This was just the beginning. The poles were our first step—where we go next is up to us.”