The recent docking of a new crew at the International Space Station (ISS) was met with humor thanks to Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner, who donned a playful alien mask to greet them. A NASA spokesperson confirmed that this was meant to be a lighthearted prank at the first sight the Crew-10 astronauts would see upon arrival. This moment comes on the heels of a notably lengthy wait for fellow crew members stranded on the ISS since June due to technical problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The prank harkens back to previous similar antics in space, highlighting the lighter side of life aboard the ISS.
Ivan Vagner's playful alien mask greeted the new crew aboard the ISS, marking a lighthearted moment amid their long-awaited docking and preparations.
It's a quick prank by Vagner, designed to bring levity to the otherwise meticulous and lengthy docking process that the crew underwent.
Such pranks mirror past antics, notably when astronaut Mark Kelly sent a gorilla suit to his brother on the ISS, creating iconic moments above Earth.
NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore reflected on the long wait since last summer, underscoring how Vagner's gesture offered a delightful diversion for the waiting astronauts.
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