Eric Philips spent nearly four days in orbit as part of the private Fram2 mission that flew directly over the north and south poles in low-Earth orbit.
He joins a line-up of global industry figures, including former prime minister Scott Morrison; NASA’s former chief technologist A.C. Charania; and Dr Kelly Fast, who currently oversees NASA’s Planetary Defense department. Click here to buy tickets.
In a world-exclusive appearance, Philips will discuss his pioneering SpaceX mission in detail.
Philips is a professional explorer who has been to the Poles around 30 times and served as the crew’s mission specialist and medical officer.
In total, Fram2 successfully conducted 22 experiments sourced from eight countries aimed at advancing human health and performance, particularly for long-duration missions.
The research onboard included capturing the first human X-ray images in space, studying blood flow restriction exercises to preserve muscle and bone mass, and growing mushrooms in microgravity.
It was also the first crewed mission to go into a polar orbit with an inclination of 90 degrees. Previously, the highest inclination flown was just 65 degrees on early Soviet Vostok missions.
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Space Connect previously reported how Philips was picked for the mission after investor Wang – then a client of his at his adventure company – asked him via text.
“The text was words to the effect of I’m continuing the idea of this mission into space, and I’m looking for a polar explorer,” he said. “Little did I know that I would be the chosen one.”
Prior to his space mission, Philips was best known for leading numerous self-supported ski expeditions across major icecaps, including those in Greenland, Ellesmere Island, Iceland, Svalbard, Patagonia, and Antarctica.
Notably, he became the first Australian, alongside companion Jon Muir, to ski to both the North and South Poles, locations he has since trekked to more than 20 times.
In 1998–99, he completed a 1,425 km ski expedition from McMurdo Station to the South Pole via the untrodden Shackleton Glacier, one of four new routes he has pioneered to the Earth’s most southerly point.
To hear from Philips in person, come along to the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition.
Other major headliners include Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, the effective head of Australia’s Space Command; Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency; and Dr Ulpia-Elena Botezatu, one of the most senior figures serving on the UN’s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
For more information on the agenda, click here.
To see the full list of speakers, click here.
Click here to learn more about the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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