Halloween Aboard the International Space Station
In the vast, dark expanse of space, far from ghouls, goblins, or trick-or-treaters, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) find their way to celebrate Halloween. Despite the absence of traditional festivities, they come together to embrace the Halloween spirit uniquely, often crafting spooky and creative costumes from the resources available on the station.
Halloween Anticipation and Spooky Plans
Back in October 2021, the Crew-3 NASA astronauts – Raja J. Chari, Thomas H. Marshburn, Kayla S. Barron, and Matthias J. Maurer of the European Space Agency (ESA) – were all set for some mysterious Halloween celebrations aboard the ISS.
However, their super-secret plans to mark the occasion were delayed due to inclement weather at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, pushing back their launch to November 11. Undeterred by this setback, the Expedition 66 crewmembers already on the space station prepared to celebrate Halloween.
Space Station Shenanigans
In the true spirit of Halloween, the ISS astronauts decided to have their fun. ESA astronaut Thomas G. Pesquet shared their extraterrestrial Halloween festivities on social media. He teased,
“Strange things were happening on the ISS for Halloween. Aki rising from the dead (or is it from our observation window?),”
about fellow crew member Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Continuing the Space Spookiness
While Halloween on the ISS may lack the earthly traditions of costume parties and candy, it’s clear that astronauts know how to make the most of the occasion. The unique setting and shared experiences of life in space bring an extra layer of creativity and excitement to these out-of-this-world celebrations.
