SpaceX Launch: Dinosaur toy accompanies NASA astronauts to ISS

NASA and SpaceX made history on Sunday, sending two astronauts into space, but turns out they weren’t the only ones on board.

NASA and SpaceX made history on Sunday morning by sending two astronauts into space on a privately built rocket for the first time and ushering in a new age for space exploration.

But veteran NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley had company inside the Crew Dragon capsule sent into orbit by one of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

A discontinued dinosaur toy joined the two astronauts as they exited the planet, with a very important job.

The toy wasn’t to keep the astronauts company, but to demonstrate when they enter zero gravity.

It’s since been identified as a discontinued toy, meaning SpaceX, NASA or history fans will be hard pressed finding their own.

Note:
I’m pretty sure that’s the TY Flippables Tremor Dinosaur, 6” tall with blue/pink reversible sequins.

If so, it’s a retired plushie that is no longer manufactured, so you can only acquire it on the resale market. pic.twitter.com/k51gJfHbP2

— Mika McKinnon (@mikamckinnon) May 27, 2020

According to The Verge, an ad for the toy briefly appeared on the SpaceX store before being removed.

The toy was briefly available to purchase from SpaceX's website.

Stuffed animals and other toys often accompany people into space to indicate when they reach zero gravity.

Sometimes they even go alone.

Last year, while testing the Crew Dragon capsule that would eventually take Behnken and Hurley to the International Space Station, a stuffed toy of the planet Earth joined the capsule on its trip.

Super high tech zero-g indicator added just before launch! pic.twitter.com/CRO26plaXq

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 2, 2019

The residents of the ISS were so taken with “Earthy” they kept it on the station after sending the capsule back to Earth.

Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are currently aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that will take them to the International Space Station after taking off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

They’re expected to dock with the ISS at around 12.27am on Monday morning, AEST.