In a journey that feels straight out of a blockbuster, four space tourists have just concluded a historic polar orbit trip by splashing down in the Pacific. The adventure, led by Chinese-born Bitcoin investor Chun Wang (now a citizen of Malta), launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Monday night, setting course for an orbit over both the north and south poles.
Boarding a specially outfitted Dragon capsule with a 360-degree domed window, the crew—Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian polar guide Eric Philips—experienced surreal views of Earth's frozen poles and endless polar deserts from 270 miles up. 
Though all four experienced a bout of space motion sickness at first, they quickly recovered to embrace a series of scientific experiments, including the first-ever medical X-rays taken in space and more than two dozen other tests. Their three-and-a-half-day expedition, dubbed Fram2 in homage to the famed Norwegian sailing ship, blended adventure with groundbreaking research.
The mission also marked a milestone for space travel, being the first flight to circle the globe above the poles and the first Pacific splashdown for a space crew in 50 years. SpaceX opted for a Pacific landing off the Southern California coast, citing enhanced safety measures that ensure jettisoned components fall harmlessly into the ocean.
This polar orbit adventure not only delivered breathtaking views but also set the stage for a new chapter in private space tourism, making history with every mile traveled.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
