Produced by: Danny Cyril Dcruze Designed by: Manoj Kumar
In 2018, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket needed a test payload, and Elon Musk decided to use his personal Tesla Roadster. It was a symbolic gesture to demonstrate the rocket’s capabilities. The Roadster overshot its intended Mars orbit and is now in a heliocentric orbit around the sun. You can track its position on whereisroadster.com.
During the 1957 Operation Plumbbob nuclear tests in Nevada, an atomic bomb detonated at the bottom of a 500-foot-deep hole. The blast sent the maintenance hole cover flying into the sky. The cover was never recovered, making it an unintentional space artifact.
Laika became the first living creature to orbit Earth when she was launched aboard Sputnik 2 on November 3, 1957. Unfortunately, Laika did not survive the mission, but her sacrifice paved the way for human space travel.
In 2007, a lightsaber prop from the sets of the iconic Star Wars film was sent into space as a playful nod to sci-fi fandom. The laser-like Jedi weapon was sent to space to mark the 30th anniversary of director George Lucas' franchise.
The creator of "Star Trek," Gene Roddenberry, had his ashes sent to space in 1997, fulfilling his vision of exploring the final frontier.
The Voyager 1 and 2 probes carry golden records with sounds and images representing Earth’s culture. They serve as a message to potential extraterrestrial civilisations. The records include music, greetings in multiple languages, and natural sounds from Earth.
The Fisher Space Pen was designed to write in zero gravity. It was used by astronauts during Apollo missions. The pen uses pressurised ink cartridges to work in any orientation, even underwater or in extreme temperatures.
In 2008, NASA sent a Buzz Lightyear action figure to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an educational program. It aimed to inspire kids’ interest in space exploration.
As part of a promotional stunt, in 2001, Pizza Hut paid the Russian space agency to deliver a pizza to the ISS. However, it wasn’t a full pizza; it was more of a promotional gesture. It was specially formulated to withstand the conditions of space travel.