Even 250 miles above Earth, where there are no haunted houses or candy-filled pumpkins, the International Space Station (ISS) crew still manages to get into the Halloween spirit. Astronauts have a long tradition of celebrating holidays in orbit, often using their ingenuity to craft costumes from everyday materials found aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Spooky Science and Creative Costumes
While the ISS may not be a site for trick-or-treating, it has become a vibrant platform for celebrating festive occasions, including Halloween. Over the years, crews have embraced the holiday with imaginative costumes, transforming the station into a temporary gallery of space-faring spirits and characters. From spooky ensembles to pop culture icons, these celebrations highlight the human element of living and working in space.
A Gallery of Orbiting Celebrations
The tradition of Halloween on the ISS dates back to at least 2009, with various crews showcasing their festive spirit. Here’s a glimpse into some memorable celebrations:
- Expedition 21 (2009): The crew shared their unique costumes, demonstrating an early enthusiasm for orbital holiday cheer.
- Expedition 53 (2017): Crew members continued the tradition, presenting a collection of creative outfits.
- Expedition 57: Flight Engineer Sergei Prokopyev (Roscosmos) donned an Elvis costume, Commander Alexander Gerst (ESA) transformed into Darth Vader, and Flight Engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor (NASA) embraced a mad scientist persona within the Kibo module.
- Expedition 61 (2019): NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Andrew “Drew” Morgan, alongside ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, shared their Halloween spirit.
- Expedition 66: NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Mark Vande Hei, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide posed with Halloween cards, bringing a touch of the holiday to their orbital home.
- Expedition 68 (2022): JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata and NASA astronauts Francisco “Frank” Rubio, Nicole Mann, and Josh Cassada creatively used stowage containers to fashion costumes of popular video game and cartoon characters, even improvising trick-or-treat bags.
- Expedition 70 (2023): Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA), Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA), Loral O’Hara (NASA), and Andreas Mogensen (ESA) marked Halloween 2023 with their celebrations.
- Expedition 73 (2025): A trio of astronauts continued the long-standing tradition.
These celebrations not only offer a morale boost for the astronauts but also serve as a reminder of the human connection and cultural traditions that continue even in the farthest reaches of human endeavor. The ISS remains a vital scientific outpost, and these moments of festivity underscore the well-rounded experience of its inhabitants.
Source: NASA
