SpaceX launches private astronauts on first crewed polar orbit

SpaceX launch the first human space flight directly over Earth's Polar Regions on Monday, a days-long, privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts.

Cheers erupted in Elon Musk's SpaceX control room as the powerful rocket soared toward Earth's North and South Poles. The mission will orbit Earth from pole to pole, a trajectory in which no humans have traveled before. The mission is led by Chinese-born Maltese entrepreneur Chun Wang. The other members of the crew include Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, Australian polar guide Eric Philips and Rogge, a robotics researcher.