SpaceX launched the first human spaceflight to cruise directly over Earth's polar orbit | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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SpaceX launched the first human spaceflight to cruise directly over Earth's polar orbit

Posted 02 Apr 2025

1 min read

This Mission titled "Fram2" has been launched by Dragon spacecraft of SpaceX. It will carry out a series of experiments, including the first X-ray in space and the cultivation of mushrooms in microgravity.

About Earth’s polar orbit:

  • A polar orbit is when a satellite orbits Earth by passing over the North and South Poles. 
    • A deviation of 10 degrees over north and south poles is still classified as a polar orbit.
  • Height: Polar orbits are a type of low Earth orbit, typically between 200 to 1000 km in altitude.
  • Significance: A spacecraft orbiting over the poles can observe the entire planet as it spins underneath. 
    • The path is particularly useful for weather, mapping and spy satellites.
  • Issue: Launching rocket into polar orbits requires greater fuel since rockets cannot harness Earth’s rotational speed.
A table displaying information on different types of satellite orbits, categorized into four types: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Sun-synchronous Orbit (SSO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO). The table includes five columns: 'Satellite Orbit,' 'Height,' 'Application,' 'Details,' and 'Examples.'  Low Earth Orbit (LEO)  Height: Under altitudes of 2000 km  Application: Satellite imaging, communication, Earth observation, navigation, and scientific research  Details: The International Space Station (ISS) also orbits here due to its shorter distance, making it easier for astronauts to reach.  Example: RISAT-2B  Sun-synchronous Orbit (SSO)  Height: Between 600 to 800 km  Application: Ideal for studying land-use changes, ice melting, and weather  Details: A specific type of polar orbit in which satellites remain in sync with the Sun  Example: HysIS for Earth observation  Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)  Height: From 2,000 to 36,000 kilometers  Application: Ideal for navigation satellites and telephone communications  Details: Satellites in MEO do not need to follow specific paths around Earth  Example: European Galileo system  Geostationary Orbit (GEO)  Height: 35,786 km  Application: Telecommunication, weather satellites, GPS, etc.  Details: Satellites in GEO fly above Earth’s equator, moving from west to east, exactly matching Earth’s rotation  Example: Indian National Satellite System (INSAT)"
  • Tags :
  • SpaceX
  • Polar Orbit
  • Human SpaceFlight
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