Chinese Bitcoin Investor Pays for SpaceX’s First Private Spaceflight to Orbit Earth’s Poles, Redefining Space Tourism

Bitcoin Investor Leads Historic Space Mission Over Earth's Poles

A new chapter in space tourism was written on 1 April 2025 when a private mission led by bitcoin investor Chun Wang became the first to take astronauts over the Earth’s poles.

Wang, a Maltese entrepreneur who made his fortune in Bitcoin, has led a crew of four private astronauts on a mission that will see them travel over both the North and South Poles – a feat never before accomplished in human spaceflight.

Who Is Chun Wang and How Did This Mission Come About?

Chun Wang is no stranger to the world of cryptocurrency.

He founded F2Pool, one of the largest Bitcoin mining pools in 2013, and later expanded his ventures into Ethereum staking with Stakefish.

His success in the crypto space has made him a key figure in the industry, but his latest project takes him far beyond the world of digital currencies.

In 2023, Wang pitched the idea of a polar orbit mission to SpaceX, aiming to venture where no human had gone before.

With the backing of his wealth and a deep desire to explore the polar regions from a unique vantage point, he approached Elon Musk’s company for a private mission.

SpaceX agreed, and thus, the "Fram2" mission was born, named after the famous Norwegian polar research ship.

The Flight: A Journey Into Uncharted Space

On the launch day, Wang and his crew of three – including German scientist Rabea Rogge, Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, and Australian explorer Eric Philips – embarked on their journey from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The crew blasted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon rocket at 1:46 am UTC, heading into a three- to five-day orbit that would carry them over the poles.

The flight began with an impressive trajectory that saw them reach the South Pole within just 30 minutes, flying at an altitude of around 265 miles above Earth.

From there, they would circle the globe every 90 minutes, passing over the Arctic and Antarctic in an unprecedented space mission.

The Mission’s Goal: Exploration, Research, and Firsts

The main objective of the Fram2 mission is not just to break records but to carry out scientific research in space.

The crew has planned 22 experiments, with highlights including the first-ever human X-rays taken in space and experiments in mushroom cultivation.

These experiments are designed to offer insights into the effects of long-term space travel on human health.

One of the most significant aspects of this mission is its polar orbit, which allows the crew to observe the entire planet as Earth rotates beneath them.

Polar orbits are crucial for climate monitoring and satellite imaging, and SpaceX is using this opportunity to gather invaluable data on the environment and the Earth’s climate.

A Personal Adventure: Wang's Desire to View the Poles From Space

For Wang, the mission is also a personal quest.

Having previously visited the polar regions in person, he has long dreamed of viewing them from space.

SpaceX Launch Control radioed to the crew once they reached orbit,

"Enjoy the views of the poles. Send us some pictures."

Wang, who has completed numerous flights across the globe, sees this journey as a way to push boundaries and share knowledge, embracing the challenges of space travel.

Ahead of the flight, Wang shared,

"Space flight is becoming increasingly routine, and, honestly, I’m happy to see that."

He also remarked that this mission would mark his 1,000th flight, a milestone in his lifelong passion for travel and adventure.

A Unique Crew: Polar Explorers and Researchers

The diverse crew chosen by Wang includes individuals with unique expertise and experiences.

Left to right: Chun Wang, Rabea Rogge, Jannicke Mikkelsen and Eric Philips

Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian filmmaker and the first Norwegian bound for space, has flown over the poles before but at much lower altitudes.

She is known for her involvement in a 2019 record-breaking mission that circumnavigated the world via the poles to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

Rabea Rogge, a German robotics expert, and Eric Philips, an Australian polar adventurer, round out the team.

Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge about the polar regions and extreme environments, all of which will contribute to the success of the mission.

Polar Orbits and Their Significance

Polar orbits are not only a fascinating aspect of space travel but also offer practical benefits.

Satellites in polar orbits can monitor every part of Earth’s surface as the planet rotates beneath them.

This orbit is particularly valuable for climate studies and Earth mapping, making it an ideal choice for this groundbreaking mission.

Geir Klover, director of the Fram Museum in Oslo, Norway, expressed hope that the mission would draw more attention to the pressing issue of climate change.

In a gesture of goodwill, Klover lent the crew a small piece of the Fram ship’s wooden deck, bearing the signature of Oscar Wisting, who was part of the first team to reach both poles in the early 1900s.

SpaceX’s Role in Making Private Space Travel Accessible

SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of private space travel, refining its processes to ensure that civilians, not just astronauts, can venture into space.

Kiko Dontchev from SpaceX shared that the company is continually improving its training programs so that "normal people" can fly into space with ease.

For Wang and his crew, this mission represents a new frontier in space exploration – one where private citizens can undertake bold adventures that were once the sole domain of government space agencies.

The Future of Private Space Missions

As SpaceX continues to make space more accessible, missions like Fram2 open up a new realm of possibilities.

With the ability to carry out critical scientific experiments while also satisfying the desires of private individuals like Chun Wang, this mission marks a significant milestone in the evolution of space tourism and exploration.

Wang’s polar flight serves as both a personal accomplishment and a testament to how private investment is reshaping the future of space travel.

His mission, which captures the spirit of adventure and scientific discovery, promises to inspire others to follow suit, pushing the limits of what is possible in the final frontier.