International Space Station Crew Celebrates Halloween with Costume Photoshoot
The astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) got into the Halloween spirit a day ahead of their next spacewalk by dressing up in costumes and posing for a photoshoot. The four astronauts, who were working in the U.S. segment of the ISS, took on a trick-or-treating style as they adorned Japanese Kibo module with their Halloween costumes on Wednesday, October 31.
Andreas Mogensen from the European Space Agency shared the photos of the crew’s costumes on his Twitter account, inviting the audience to guess what they were wearing. Mogensen’s tweet sparked a lot of excitement and speculation among space enthusiasts eager to identify the cleverly disguised astronauts. The costumes can be seen on Mogensen’s Twitter feed.
However, the astronauts’ real mission awaits them on Thursday, November 1. NASA’s Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli will be gearing up in their spacesuits for a rare all-woman spacewalk. The spacewalk is a significant milestone in space exploration history and has received widespread attention and support.
Coverage of the spacewalk will start at 6:30 a.m. EDT (1030 GMT) and will be broadcasted on NASA Television, which can be watched at Space.com.
Reflecting the excitement surrounding Halloween and space exploration, NASA’s Moghbeli donned a unique costume labeled “bread,” accompanied by a picture of herself and her twin girls. Many speculate that Moghbeli may be playfully referring to herself as the “breadwinner” of her family or depicting a peanut butter-and-jelly flavor with her costume and photo.
Satoshi Furukawa from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) sported a distinctive Luigi hat, a nod to the iconic plumber-brother character from Nintendo’s Mario franchise. Luigi, known for his adventures battling creatures emerging from sewer pipes in various games, has become an integral part of pop culture and is recognizable by gamers of all generations.
NASA’s O’Hara opted for a Colorado-themed hat, featuring a picture of mountains accompanied by the words “Go Outside: Never Stop Exploring.” Some believe the phrase “go outside” is a playful reference to her forthcoming spacewalk. Additionally, O’Hara has a personal connection to Colorado, as she enjoyed spending her childhood exploring the mountains and studying rocks.
ESA’s Mogensen showcased a tinfoil hat reminiscent of the headwear popularized in the movie “Signs” released in 2002, a fictional tale of an alien invasion and crop circles. His T-shirt, bearing the phrase “Birds Aren’t Real,” is part of a popular Gen Z movement that questions various conspiracy theories, according to fact-checking website Snopes.
Dressing up in costume while aboard the ISS has become a cherished tradition among astronaut crews. In 2016, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly delighted his crewmates by surprising them while wearing a gorilla costume during a spacewalk. Likewise, in 2022, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti paid homage to the famous flight attendant from the 1968 sci-fi movie “2001: A Space Odyssey,” capturing attention with her recreation of the iconic character’s distinctive movements.
For those curious about previous Halloween costumes on the ISS, Space.com has compiled a collection of photos featuring astronauts dressed up as Elvis, Superman, Darth Vader, and other imaginative and fun characters from over the years.
The ISS crew’s Halloween celebrations add a touch of lightheartedness and camaraderie to their demanding missions, reminding us that even in space, astronauts find ways to celebrate and connect with the festive spirit of holidays like Halloween.