Launch recap: Fram2 crew launches on SpaceX rocket Monday from Kennedy Space Center (2025)

Launch recap: Scroll down to read live updates from the launch of the record-breaking Fram2 crew. The SpaceX rocket lifted off at 9:46 p.m. EDT on March 31, from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Lightningflashed in the distance as storms rolled off shore, yet the launch occurred without delay.

Original story: Tonight, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Fram2 crew into an orbit never flown by astronauts − around the North and South Pole.

The launch window opens at 9:46 p.m. EDT Monday, but opportunities exist at 11:20 p.m.,12:53 a.m. and 2:26 a.m. Tuesday morning. Launch and recovery weather play a large part in timing.

This launch would be the second in a double-header day in Florida after the Starlink 6-80 mission lifted off on time during an afternoon launch window − another rarity for the Space Coast.

With this mission heading for a polar orbit, it will fly straight south, meaning those on the southeast coast of Florida may catch a spectacular view as the rocket soars overhead. Of course, this depends on cloud coverage.

The mission is known as Fram2, and is a nod to early artic exploration. The Fram was a record-breaking Norwegian ship built specifically for polar exploration. It saw three expeditions between 1893 and 1912. The ship traveled furthest north in its first mission and furthest south on its third mission − breaking ship voyage records for the time.

When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral

Now this crew of four will be the first to break that record from orbit − orbiting at a 90 degree inclination, which is straight over Earth's poles. The crew will carry with them a piece of the original Fram ship, on loan from the Fram museum in Norway.

The Fram2 mission was purchased by cryptocurrency businessman, Chun Wang, who is serving as the mission commander. Joining Wang is Eric Philips, who is the mission specialist and medical officer, Jannicke Mikkelsen, the vehicle commander, and Rabea Rogge, the spacecraft pilot. All four are explorers of extreme places on Earth, such as the polar regions.

Unlike missions to the International Space Station, Fram2 is only flying in space for a three to five day mission. Therefore, the splashdown weather outlook must be favorable for the launch to proceed. This will mark the first time a Dragon crew launched from Florida and splashed down off the coast of California.

Countdown Timer

SpaceX Dragon in a nominal orbit

Update 9:56 p.m.: The Fram2 crew is safely in orbit!

SpaceX Falcon 9 lands on drone ship!

Update 9:55 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster has landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship.

SpaceX Fram2 liftoff!

Update 9:46 p.m.: The rocket has left KSC Pad 39A, and the Fram2 crew is on their way to orbit!

SpaceX Fram2 launch in 10 minutes!

Update 9:36 p.m.: Liftoff is in 10 minutes! If you plan to catch this unique night launch, head outside!

The rocket will fly straight south, right overhead.

Fram2 will be the first to splash down off the West Coast

Update 9:35 p.m.: Fram2 will not only be the first to orbit the poles, but the first SpaceX astronaut crew to launch from Florida and splashdown off the coast of California.

Fram2 SpaceX Dragon

Update 9:30 p.m.: The Fram2 crew will be flying in the SpaceX Dragon known as Resilience. This will be the fourth flight for this Dragon. It previously flew NASA's Crew-1, Inspiration4, and Polaris Dawn.

Watch SpaceX live coverage of the Fram2 launch

Update 9:22 p.m.: SpaceX is live on X (formerly Twitter). The post is above, below the countdown clock.

Liftoff is set for 9:46 p.m. from KSC Pad 39A.

SpaceX launch of Fram2 mission: Storms still in area, but SpaceX is fueling

Update 9:18 p.m.: Weather may still look concerning, but SpaceX is fueling for a liftoff at 9:46 p.m. EDT.

SpaceX launch of Fram2: Chun Wang's 1000th flight of all time

Update 9:10 p.m.: Commander, Chun Wang, has shared that his 1000th flight of all time just happens to be a flight to space.

SpaceX launch of Fram2 is GO for launch!

Update 9:03 p.m.: SpaceX has polled to begin fueling! Fram2 is GO for launch at 9:46 p.m.!

Should SpaceX stop fueling now, they will need to stand down for the day.

As for now, we are set to see a 9:46 p.m. launch of this historic mission!

SpaceX launch countdown timeline

Update 8:58 p.m.:The SpaceX launch director will make the call for propellant loading in four minutes.

Lightningis still at the launch site.

Here's a behind-the-scenes rundown of SpaceX’s countdown timeline. T-minus:

• 38 minutes:SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for propellant load.

• 35 minutes:Rocket-grade kerosene and first-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

• 16 minutes:Second-stage liquid oxygen loading begins.

• 7 minutes:Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch.

• 1 minute:Command flight computer begins final prelaunch checks; propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.

• 45 seconds:SpaceX launch director verifies “go” for launch.

• 3 seconds:Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start.

• 0 seconds:Liftoff.

Less than an hour to the SpaceX launch of the Fram2 mission

Update 8:52 p.m.: If weather is not an issue, those south of Kennedy Space Center are in for a show as the Falcon 9 rocket flies straight overhead. The Falcon 9 will be flying extremely south to get the Dragon into a 90-degree orbit around Earth's poles. This means even those down in Miami may see a rocket fly overhead!

Eric Philips, Fram mission specialist, shares tracking information

Update 8:45 p.m.: Eric Philips, the Fram2 mission specialist, has posted many details about the Fram2 mission. This includes how to track the Dragon as it flies to to polar orbit.

Fram2 booster landing

Update 8:30 p.m.: The Falcon 9 first-stage booster launching Fram2 will be landing on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship, which will be waiting out on the Atlantic Ocean, East of Key Largo. No Florida sonic booms will be heard.

EOC active ahead of Fram2 crew launch

Update 8:15 p.m.: Brevard County Emergency Management officials have activated the agency's launch operations support team ahead of the upcoming launch of the Fram2 mission.

Fram2 crew boards Dragon spacecraft

Update 8:02 p.m.: The hatch has been closed and the crew is waiting for launch!

A storm is still passing through the press site.

Fram2 Crew watched rocket launch on way to launch pad

Update 7:46 p.m.: Earlier this afternoon, the Fram2 crew watched as a Falcon 9 carried the Starlink 6-80 mission to orbit. The crew was headed to the launch pad from Merritt Island in SpaceX Teslas. Now the crew is on deck for their ride to orbit.

Fram2 launch weather update

Update 7:25 p.m.: A storm is moving through North of the press site at Kennedy Space Center. Weather was forecasted by the 45th Weather Squadron to be 60% favorable at the beginning of the launch window.

The crew is already in the Dragon spacecraft ahead of the 9:46 p.m. launch attempt.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her atbedwards@floridatoday.comor on X:@brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Fram2 crew launches to polar orbit Monday from Florida