The SpaceX Fram2 crew has successfully completed their first full day in space, adjusting to microgravity and beginning their research mission to explore Earth’s polar regions. Mission Commander Wang Chun shared details of the experience on social media, offering a glimpse into the astronauts’ initial challenges and small victories.
A Smooth Launch, Then the Nausea Kicked In
The launch on Tuesday went off without a hitch, with Chun describing the ride to orbit as surprisingly smooth. “Apart from the final minute before SECO, I barely felt any G-forces—it honestly felt like just another flight,” he wrote on X.
But once they entered orbit, the familiar challenge of space adaptation set in. The crew, which includes vehicle pilot Rabea Rogge, mission specialist Eric Philips, and scientist Jannicke Mikkelsen, soon found themselves grappling with motion sickness. Chun admitted that they experienced nausea and vomiting, though it felt different from traditional forms of motion sickness on Earth.
“You could still read on your iPad without making it worse,” Chun noted. “But even a small sip of water could upset your stomach.”
First Experiments and an Historic X-ray
Despite the queasiness, the astronauts wasted no time getting to work. Within hours of reaching orbit, they conducted an experiment on human cognition in space—part of SpaceX’s ongoing research into how the brain adapts to weightlessness.
One of the highlights of the day was the first-ever X-ray taken in space. Chun shared images of the groundbreaking test, which aims to assess bone density loss in real-time rather than waiting for astronauts to return to Earth. The results could have significant implications for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
Staying Connected From Orbit
Rogge, an experienced radio operator, spent part of the day communicating with ham radio enthusiasts in Berlin. SpaceX later confirmed that the crew also completed their first round of Starlink tests, evaluating how the satellite network functions in space rather than just from the ground.
The astronauts kept their expectations in check for the first day, focusing on acclimating rather than sightseeing. “No one asked about opening the cupola on the first day,” Chun noted. “We were all focused on managing the motion sickness.”
Ending the Day With a Movie Night
After a long day of work and adaptation, the crew decided to wind down with a movie night—choosing to watch their own launch. Chun described it as a surreal experience, watching themselves lift off from Earth while already floating hundreds of kilometers above it.
“We all slept really well,” he added, noting that the crew went to bed earlier than planned. The first day in space is always an adjustment, but for the Fram2 astronauts, it was also a momentous step toward their ambitious scientific goals.
