Eric Philips is gonna go and make history! He made history as the first Australian to blast into space under an Australian flag during the privately funded SpaceX mission ‘Fram2’ in early April. Chun Wang leads the mission with an exceptionally diverse crew members on board. Incredible three-and-a-half-day journey in microgravity, they accommodated and together they completed 55 orbits of Earth. Celebrated as a watershed achievement for Philips, this pioneering expedition was a first in many ways. It presented invaluable research that will influence the future of human long-haul space travel.
Though the precise terms of the agreement have not been made public, the Fram2 mission was chartered from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. On the crew, director Jannicke Mikkelsen and producer Rabea Rogge. Collectively, they completed numerous scientific pursuits to advance mankind’s understanding of space and investigate its potential for long-term exploration. Most impressively, they did the first X-ray in space and attempted to grow mushrooms, a first for extraterrestrial agriculture as well.
A Journey of Exploration
Eric Philips’ trip to space was an intensely personal experience for him. It represented our shared dream of taking humans beyond the confines of Earth. The Fram2 crew’s research projects addressed critical questions about long-duration human flight, setting the stage for future missions that could one day reach Mars.
Philips was very grateful for the opportunity, conveying the profound experience of seeing Earth from Space and the strong emotional connection it creates. He stated, “Looking at Earth from that perch and knowing that we have a pretty rough history of treating our planet… if everyone could have the opportunity to see this incredible planet from above, I think it would give people much more perspective over their lives.”
The mission became the first mission in history to orbit the North and South Poles. Beyond the initiative, it showcased the incredible potential of commercial space exploration. The crew’s successful splashdown off the coast of California culminated in an unprecedented achievement: they became the first astronauts to execute an unassisted egress from their spacecraft.
Unforgettable Experiences
Philips shared his exhilarating experience during the flight, describing it as “the most immersive experience you could possibly imagine.” The scene where he undoes his shackles and starts to float was extremely powerful. He noted, “The moment of undoing the restraints and just having your body float out of the seat is just mind-blowing.”
Even though he recognized the dangers of space travel, he was a calming presence during the mission. If everything doesn’t work out then it’s basically done,” he said, but his eagerness to come back was clear. “If I had the opportunity to go back tomorrow, I would take it,” he said, expressing a longing for more adventures beyond Earth.
Philips highlighted the broader implications of their research, noting, “There’s a big push at the moment to get to Mars… these research projects all contribute to this next phase of human life.”…to the very farthest reaches of the universe He has an outer space itch. He’s interested in founding sustainable human colonies beyond Earth.
A Changed Perspective
The odyssey has made an imprint on Philips’ philosophies in life. He confessed that he goes out at night now with a sense of awe and yearning. “There is no question that I look at the night sky now from a different perspective… it was such an intoxicating experience,” he shared.
Philips emerges as both the adventurer and the guide. His experience guiding Chun Wang on an All Access Pass ski trip to the Arctic Circle just scratches the surface of what makes Adam truly special. He described his transition into space travel as “the most phenomenal tip a client could give me,” illustrating how personal connections can lead to extraordinary opportunities.
The stars have always been enchanting and the land of opportunity,” Philips began. If imagination can run free anywhere it’s up there, but for me it’s no longer imagination. That’s the bizarre thing. It’s reality now.
