SpaceX’s Extraterrestrial Prank Lightens Astronauts’ Return to Earth 3.
Brace yourselves for the cosmic hilarity that ensued as SpaceX decided to greet astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams with an alien-themed welcome before their long-awaited return to Earth. As the duo prepares to leave the International Space Station (ISS) after nearly ten months—thanks to a series of mechanical mishaps—one of the newly arrived Crew-10 members donned an alien mask, sending the astronauts into peals of laughter. The unexpected twist? This light-hearted prank came just days after their rescue mission was delayed due to a hydraulic system issue.
In an amusing display of camaraderie, the crew member chuckled while folding his arms, a nod that elicited a thumbs-up from Williams, who seems to have mastered the art of maintaining grace under pressure. Following the comedic introduction, fellow astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov joined the festivities, bringing a dose of joy to the ISS. “Crew-10 has had a great journey up here,” McClain shared, highlighting the thrill of seeing the space station for the first time after a 28-hour journey.
But let’s not forget the backdrop of this cosmic comedy: Williams and Wilmore originally launched into space aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, with plans for an eight-day mission. However, due to a series of mechanical failures—five thrusters out of commission, to be precise—they found themselves marooned in orbit longer than anticipated. Amid speculation that they were “virtually abandoned,” Williams assured the public that they were not only surviving but thriving, with adequate food and all the essentials to keep their spirits high.
As they await their return, scheduled for March 19 (weather permitting), one can’t help but marvel at how humor can bridge the gap between the mundane and the extraordinary, even in the depths of space. After all, if you can’t laugh at yourself while floating 250 miles above Earth, when can you?
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Sources: Celebrity Storm and Associated Press, CNN, NASA
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