First Civilian Astronauts Capture Stunning Video of Antarctica from Space
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a historic moment for space exploration, the first civilian astronauts to orbit the Earth's polar region have shared an awe-inspiring video of Antarctica’s pristine, "pure white" tundra. On Wednesday morning, four space travelers aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule filmed the breathtaking footage from an altitude of about 285 miles, offering a stunning view of the snow-covered continent.
Hello, Antarctica.
— Chun (@satofishi) April 2, 2025
Unlike previously anticipated, from 460 km above, it is only pure white, no human activity is visible. pic.twitter.com/i7JawFYzW2
Chinese-born crypto billionaire Chun Wang, 43, shared the video on X with the caption, "Hello, Antarctica. Unlike previously anticipated, from 460 km above, it is only pure white, no human activity is visible." The six-minute video showcases Antarctica’s vibrant and desolate landscape, with Wang’s fellow astronauts heard congratulating him on the milestone.
Captured through the Crew Dragon’s Cupola—a unique glass dome offering 360-degree views—the footage reveals a stunning panorama of snowy wilderness. In a lighthearted moment, Wang jokingly performed a "spacewalk" by walking with his sock-clad feet on the cupola’s window, much to the crew’s amusement.
Reactions flooded in from viewers, with one commenting, "Crazy when you think about it. A human being sharing thoughts and images while flying through outer space. We made it far with this technology thing." Another remarked on the breathtaking view, "The Antarctic, so far removed from everything, so untouched and quiet. It reminds us of how small we are in this vast universe."
The **Fram2 mission** marks a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration, being the first to fly directly over the Earth’s poles. The mission, requiring more fuel than traditional equator-hugging flight paths, gives the crew a perspective of the North and South Poles never seen before. This mission, which involves first-time space travelers, includes Wang, Jannicke Mikkelsen (Norway), Rabea Rogge (Germany), and Eric Phillips (Australia).
The mission will last two to four days, with the crew conducting over 22 experiments. After completing their tasks, the Resilience spacecraft will perform a deorbit burn, marking another first for SpaceX's crewed missions, and splash down in the Pacific Ocean. The mission’s return to Earth is scheduled for April 4.
