List of items smuggled into space

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Multiple people have covertly snuck items on to space missions without the knowledge of their superiors. During the Gemini program, Deke Slayton issued a memo to all astronauts urging a halt to the practice: “… the attempt … to bootleg any item on board not approved by me will result in appropriate disciplinary action. In addition to jeopardizing your personal careers, it must be recognized that seemingly insignificant items can and have affected the prerogatives of follow-on crews."[1] Despite this and other warnings, the practice continued. Here is a partial list of those items.

  • Gemini 3 astronauts in 1965 brought a corned beef sandwich into orbit, which was widely publicized in the media.[2] They were reprimanded by NASA officials.[3]
  • On December 16, 1965, Walter Schirra discreetly brought a harmonica on board Gemini VI-A and played the song Jingle Bells. The incident marked the first time that a musical instrument was ever played in space and the harmonica is now in the possession of the National Air and Space Museum.[4]
  • Schirra also reported bringing Scotch and cigarettes onto Gemini VI-A without permission.[5]
  • In 1971, Edgar Mitchell brought materials on Apollo 14 to conduct unauthorized experiments into extrasensory perception.[6]
  • Soviet cosmonauts aboard Soyuz 29 in 1978 brought chocolates on board their flight, which scattered in orbit and required two hours to collect.[7]
  • in 2008 Richard Garriott smuggled James Doohan's remains onto the ISS inside laminated postcards. NASA denied comment and the remains were removed from the Columbus Module during a rack cleaning and returned to earth.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ Collins, Michael (2001-04-03). Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journey. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-8154-1028-7.
  2. ^ Ron Miller (1 January 2008). Space Exploration. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-58013-689-1.
  3. ^ John M. Logsdon (2008). Human Spaceflight: Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Government Printing Office. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-16-081381-8.
  4. ^ Randy Weinstein; William Melton (1 October 2012). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing The Harmonica, 2nd Edition. DK Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-61564-312-7.
  5. ^ Wally Schirra (1988). Schirra's Space. Naval Institute Press. p. 149. ISBN 978-1-55750-792-1.
  6. ^ Backstrom, Fia (Winter 2001). "Private Lunar ESP: An Interview with Edgar Mitchell". Cabinet Magazine.
  7. ^ Newkirk, Dennis (1990). Almanac of Soviet Manned Space Flight. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing Company. ISBN 0-87201-848-2.
  8. ^ Alexander, Bryan. "'Among the stars': Ashes of James Doohan, Scotty from 'Star Trek,' hidden on International Space Station". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
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