In contrast, the Fram2 mission's 90-degree inclination means it will pass directly over both the North and South Poles. This path provides comprehensive coverage of Earth's surface, enabling observations of regions and phenomena not accessible to other missions.

Malta-based investor Chun Wang is financing the mission, which was dubbed Fram2 after a Norwegian ship that carried key expeditions to the North and South poles around the turn of the 20th century.

SpaceX is set to launch the first human spaceflight directly over Earth's polar regions on Monday—a days-long, privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts.