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Boeing Starliner astronauts: what six months stuck in space may do to their perception of time

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruth-ogden-1182467">Ruth Ogden</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/liverpool-john-moores-university-1319">Liverpool John Moores University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-eduardo-vigo-1631723">Daniel Eduardo Vigo</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/pontificia-universidad-catolica-de-argentina-5531">Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina</a></p> <p>Two astronauts marooned in space may sound like the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster, but for two <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">Nasa</a> crew members, it is now a reality. Commander Barry Wilmore and pilot Sunita Williams are currently in limbo on the International Space Station (ISS).</p> <p>They arrived in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft – the first test of the spaceship with astronauts. Wilmore and Williams were supposed to stay on the ISS for around eight days and return on the same spacecraft. But there is now debate about the safety of Starliner after it experienced <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6pp29gdwe6o">helium leaks and thruster problems</a> on its way to the ISS.</p> <p>In coming days, Nasa and Boeing may decide to clear Starliner to carry the astronauts back to Earth. This means their stay might not last too much longer. But if officials decide against Starliner, the astronauts face waiting an <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/update-nasa-boeing-to-stream-flight-test-mission-briefing-on-nasa/">additional six months in orbit</a> before returning. So how do astronauts cope with a potential six-month wait for a lift home?</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022249685900203">Waiting for things is difficult</a> at the best of times. Under normal circumstances, it is <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2043808718778982">frustrating, stressful and anxiety-provoking</a>. But in extreme situations, with high stakes, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05638.x?casa_token=jC_hT4wqbuIAAAAA%3AGTrJPmd496aDTdirdwYi7CvLK8Q1g_oR-Em2E3EpDP0AwRCs2ko13Jpqui15BlkPiAx7MMRqA0MC">waiting can be purgatory</a>.</p> <p>Part of the reason that waiting is difficult is that it distorts our sense of time. Think of last time you were waiting for a delayed train, test results or a text from a potential new partner. Did it fly by or drag? For most people, time spent waiting crawls at a glacial pace. As a result, delays and periods of anticipation often feel much longer than they actually are.</p> <p>Waiting slows our perception of time, because it changes the amount of time that we spend <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/23324610?casa_token=KmtJWWmtHwQAAAAA%3AN_CUdtNakK46j4ItZaH_f__QcIGOjMnasX1NeMTRFH5YPpcmYx1JpigTfTb1bPYi5Fcus-IhtzDX0Jsz3xpqZRMDUxg0RWYhSr87V-zXz_pqS0zM&amp;seq=2">thinking about time</a>. During normal daily life we often ignore time; our brains have a limited capacity. If time isn’t important, we simply don’t think about it, and this helps it to pass quickly.</p> <p>When we are waiting, our desire to know when the wait is over increases how much we think about time. This “clock watching” can make the minutes and hours feel like they are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-2626(90)90026-K">passing at a snail’s pace</a>. Stress, discomfort and pain exacerbate this effect, meaning that waiting in difficult situations <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.2211">can seem even longer</a>.</p> <p>Waiting also slows our perception of time because it what we do and how we feel. Normal life is busy and full of ever-changing activities and interactions. The sudden need to wait halts the flow of life, often leaving us with nothing else to do, thus increasing levels of boredom and frustration.</p> <p>In general, time filled with activity <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-2626(90)90026-K">passes more quickly</a>. We all got a taste of this during <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235871">COVID lockdowns</a>. When we were stuck inside unable to see friends and engage in normal daily activities, the loss of routine and distractions caused time to drag for many.</p> <p>For the astronauts stuck on the ISS, anxiety about when they will return, limited opportunities for activities and fewer opportunities to contact friends and families combine to make their wait to return home feel significantly longer than six months – if it should come to that.</p> <p>However, as academics who research the effects of time on human psychology and biology, our ongoing work with crew members at research stations in Antarctica aims to shed light on whether waiting in extreme environments is different to waiting during normal daily life.</p> <h2>A year in Antarctica</h2> <p>While being stuck for six months on the ISS may sound like many people’s worst nightmare, it is not uncommon for scientists to spend long periods isolated and confined in extreme environments. Every year, organisations such as the Instituto Antártico Argentino (which uses the Belgrano II Antarctic station), the French Polar Institute and the Italian Antarctic Programme, in cooperation with the European Space Agency (which all use Antarctica’s Concordia station), send crews of people for up to 16 months to conduct research on the frozen continent.</p> <p>During the March to October <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/">polar winter</a>, teams spend six months in near darkness – and from May to August, in complete darkness – facing outside temperatures of up to -60C, wind speeds of 160 km/h (100 mph) and storms which prevent almost all outdoor activity. Limited internet coverage can also prevent constant communication with the outside world.</p> <p>For the last year, we have researched how life in Antarctica influences people’s experience of time. Each month, we asked crew members how time felt like it was passing in comparison to before their mission. Trapped on base, with limited contact with the outside world, you might expect time to drag. However, our results suggest the opposite may be true.</p> <p>Analysis of crew members’ experiences indicated that being constantly busy with complex tasks such as scientific research helped time to pass swiftly, according to 80% of crew responses. Only 3% of responses indicated that time actually dragged, and these reports occurred when nights were long and there was little to do.</p> <p>These experiences may provide hope for those stuck on the ISS. Like life on an Antarctic station, these Nasa astronauts have a busy and mentally demanding existence. These factors may help time to pass quickly.</p> <p>However, a key factor of their wait may be their ability to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2043808718778982">tolerate the uncertainty</a> of when they will return. Wilmore and Williams will spend their time in a space equivalent to the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-facts-and-figures/">inside a Boeing 747</a> plane. But better information about “when” things will happen and “why” delays are being incurred can help people to tolerate waiting and reduce its impact on their wellbeing.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236546/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruth-ogden-1182467">Ruth Ogden</a>, Professor of the Psychology of Time, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/liverpool-john-moores-university-1319">Liverpool John Moores University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-eduardo-vigo-1631723">Daniel Eduardo Vigo</a>, Senior Researcher in Chronobiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/pontificia-universidad-catolica-de-argentina-5531">Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: NASA</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/boeing-starliner-astronauts-what-six-months-stuck-in-space-may-do-to-their-perception-of-time-236546">original article</a>.</em></p>

Mind

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NASA astronauts stranded in space

<p>Two astronauts are stranded in space after a simple week-long trip to the International Space Station (ISS) has turned into a possible eight-month trip. </p> <p>NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams encountered technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft days after departing for their eight-day trip in June and now may be stuck indefinitely. </p> <p>The trip Mr Wilmore, 61, and Ms Williams, 58, were on was designed to see how the new spacecraft performs before it is used more regularly.</p> <p>However, problems emerged as it made its approach to the ISS, including leaks in its propulsion system and some of its thrusters shutting down.</p> <p>While they made it to the space station safely, they will need an alternative mode of transport to get home if the Starliner is not deemed safe to return to Earth.</p> <p>One potential option being considered to get the astronauts safely home is to attach the two astronauts to a separate mission that is scheduled to launch in September, and return them to earth with that mission in February 2025.</p> <p>That flight to the space station will be made by a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, and while the initial plan was for four crew members to be aboard, two of the seats could be left empty if needed.</p> <p>That plan would mean the astronauts would spend more than eight months, rather than eight days, aboard the International Space Station.</p> <p>NASA officials said it could take a week or more for a final decision to be made about how to get the stranded astronauts safely home. </p> <p>Thankfully, NASA has used a SpaceX rocket to deliver more food and supplies to the ISS, including extra clothes for the two astronauts, as the pair remain in high spirits. </p> <p><em>Image credits: NASA</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Buzz Aldrin ties the knot on his 93rd birthday

<p>Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin announced that he and his "longtime love", Dr Anca Faur, have tied the knot in a Tweet posted on Saturday.</p> <p>Aldrin, one of the first two people to land on the moon, revealed that they held a small private ceremony to celebrate their love.</p> <p>"On my 93rd birthday & the day I will also be honoured by Living Legends of Aviation I am pleased to announce that my longtime love Dr Anca Faur & I have tied the knot," he captioned.</p> <p>"We were joined in holy matrimony in a small private ceremony in Los Angeles & are as excited as eloping teenagers," the happy groom added.</p> <p>Dr Faur, 63, is a Project manager at a science and chemical company.</p> <p>Aldrin posted two pictures from his wedding ceremony, where he wore a suit with a medal and Air Force badge pinned to it. Dr Faur donned a stunning lace dress.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">On my 93rd birthday & the day I will also be honored by Living Legends of Aviation I am pleased to announce that my longtime love Dr. Anca Faur & I have tied the knot.We were joined in holy matrimony in a small private ceremony in Los Angeles & are as excited as eloping teenagers <a href="https://t.co/VwMP4W30Tn">pic.twitter.com/VwMP4W30Tn</a></p> <p>— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealBuzz/status/1616600085441159168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Many friends, colleagues and fans have congratulated the couple.</p> <p>"God Bless you, sir," one wrote.</p> <p>"Many happy returns, Buzz and Anca! Wishing you both every happiness," wrote another with the heart eyes emoji.</p> <p>"You must be over the moon! But seriously Sir, congratulations to you both," commented another.</p> <p>The former astronaut also shared a <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealBuzz/status/1616502756277100545?cxt=HHwWgoCx5aas_O4sAAAA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tweet</a>, thanking everyone for their sweet birthday wishes.</p> <p>"Thank you for all of the Happy Birthday wishes and heartfelt goodwill! It means a lot and I hope to continue serving a greater cause for many more revolutions around the sun!! Onward and upward and best wishes to all of you as well!," he wrote.</p> <p>Aldrin has been married three times. His first marriage to Joan Ann Archer lasted for 20 years before the couple divorced.</p> <p>His second marriage to Beverly Van Zile lasted three years, and his third marriage to Lois Driggs Cannon lasted 24 years.</p> <p>The former astronaut has three children from his first marriage.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Relationships

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What risks do humans face in space?

<div> <div class="copy"> <p>It was quite the job ad when NASA <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/beanastronaut-nasa-seeks-applicants-to-explore-moon-mars" target="_blank">started looking for astronauts</a> for its Moon to Mars mission. They’re searching for the first woman and next man to walk on the Moon – and maybe send them onto the Red Planet.</p> <p>One of the first requirements for future space travellers is the ability to get along with crewmates, Dr Gordon Cable says. He’s an associate professor in aerospace medicine at the University of Tasmania, and his job is to look at the hazards and risks humans face in space.</p> <p>He says they’ll need to deal with the distance, the isolation, and the “Earth-dependence” – those already on the International Space Station at least can still see our <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/536/voyager-1s-pale-blue-dot/" target="_blank">pale blue dot</a>.</p> <p>So selection and training will be key, particularly for Mars, where a small group of humans will have to get along and work together for months.</p> <p>“You don’t want people who are overly gregarious all the time – but equally you don’t want people who are shy and retiring and can’t make any decisions,” Cable says.</p> <p>“We need that balanced personality and people who work well as a team.</p> <p>“I often say…going to Mars is like being trapped in a caravan with three of your best mates for three years. If you can make it through that, you can make it through anything.”</p> <p>Then there are the physical challenges. Being in microgravity or partial gravity affects how the cardiovascular system works and can leave bones weaker. Radiation is a “potential showstopper”, too.</p> <p>Once humans leave the “protective bunker” of the Earth’s atmosphere they’re out in the universe, which is bathed in cosmic radiation. That poses a cancer risk and a reproductive risk.</p> <p>It means anyone who gets on that interplanetary craft may only be able to go once. The “career exposure” to radiation is too great a risk.</p> <p>That’s just the start, Cable says. Once they return, they’ll need to be reconditioned, to “get their Earth legs back”.</p> <p>Australia, he says, is in a good position to contribute to the Moon to Mars mission. “We have an international reputation,” Cable notes, thanks to our experience in extreme environments and our achievements in medical research, including in radiation exposure.</p> <p>In a way, it’s the challenges that make the adventure worth it. What is learned about supporting astronauts will help Earthly healthcare more broadly, particularly for remote and Aboriginal communities, and even aged care.</p> <p>For example, researchers are looking at biomarkers, such as putting sensors under the skin to detect dehydration early – that’s important for astronauts in extreme environments, and in aged care where people can become dehydrated very quickly.</p> <p>“To have a wearable monitor that can feed data to a system that monitors hydration levels and warns that hydration isn’t adequate can lead to early diagnosis and intervention,” he says.</p> <p>“We always think of the duality between space and Earth, Earth and space…we make sure we get spinoffs to help the Earth population as well.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> </div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/what-risks-do-humans-face-in-space/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Tory Shepherd. </em></p> </div> </div>

Travel Tips

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Astronaut shares rare photo of Uluru from space

<p>It’s one of the most iconic destinations in Australia, but an astronaut has snapped a picture of Uluru like you’ve never seen before.</p> <p>French astronaut Thomas Pesque shared a photograph of the giant rock from the perspective of the International Space Station on his Facebook page.</p> <p>“This is a sacred site, and a striking landscape. Not easy to spot from the International Space Station, but as the sun went down, we got lucky!” he wrote.</p> <p>The photo shows Uluru glowing red, surrounded by a surprising lush green dessert. </p> <p> <img width="435" height="326" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/5dda27a820337c48404478d82f23e98d" alt="The French engineer said he’s wanted to capture it for a long time. Picture: ESA/NASA" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p> <strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/2016/12/the-rudest-place-names-in-the-northern-territory/"><em>The rudest place names in the Northern Territory</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/2016/11/the-strangest-town-in-australia/"><em>This might be the strangest town in Australia</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/2016/10/most-underrated-tourist-location-in-australia/"><em>Australia’s most underrated tourist location</em></a></strong></span></p>

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Astronaut celebrates year in space with luxury cruise

<p>Not too long ago astronaut Scott Kelly returned from one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of space travel where he spent a year in Earth’s orbit. You might remember him as the astronaut who was particularly active on social media, tweeting images of the <a href="/news/news/2016/01/nasa-pictures-first-flowers-in-space/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">first flower ever grown in outer space</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>After a year off the planet, Kelly is understandably quite glad to have both his feet back on planet earth and in need of some R&amp;R. But what sort of holiday do you book after you’ve spent an exhausting year in outer space?</p> <p>Why, a luxury cruise of course!</p> <p>Kelly is set to enjoy a luxurious week on a cruise, travelling on the Crystal Serenity with his partner, children, and twin brother and fellow retired astronaut Mark Kelly.</p> <p>Kelly can’t wait to spend some time with his feet up, telling <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>USA TODAY</strong></span></a>, "I'm really looking forward to relaxing on the ship... and sleeping. It's been a very busy year."</p> <p>The cruise is set to stop off in Alaska, but it’s not just going to be all smooth sailing for the Kelly brothers, who have graciously volunteered their time to speak to passengers on the Serenity as part of an enrichment program set up by Crystal Cruises.</p> <p>Kelly doesn’t seem too concerned about the extra work however and is really just looking forward to spending time with his kids. He is also particularly keen on the shore excursions, which is understandable after a year in outer space. Kelly noted, “Hopefully the kids will have some fun, and I'm looking forward to some shore excursions.”</p> <p>Have you ever taken a luxury cruise and if so where did you go? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/09/po-unveils-plans-for-biggest-ever-cruise-ship/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>P&amp;O unveils plans for biggest cruise ship ever</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/6-things-to-expect-if-your-cruise-hits-a-storm/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 things to expect if your cruise hits a storm</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/09/i-saw-the-best-of-europe-on-an-imperial-danube-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>I saw the best of Europe on an Imperial Danube cruise</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

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Grandpa breaks record for most days in outer space

<p>Astronaut (and proud grandfather) Jeff Williams reached a major milestone this week, breaking the record for most cumulative days in space by an American.</p> <p>On Wednesday Williams surpassed the 520 day record previously held by NASA colleague Scott Kelly. By the time Williams returns to Planet Earth on September 6, he will have spent an extremely impressive 534 days in outer space in total.</p> <p>The record for most cumulative days in outer space is still held by Russia’s Gennady Padalka, who put together 879 days, but Williams’ achievements is nothing to shirk at. But if you ask the astronaut himself, the American record is just another number.</p> <p>In a recent interview with <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>CBS News</strong></span></a>, Williams said, “What comes to mind is just the honour of being part of the International Space Station from the beginning all the way through the assembly to now, and working with this great team. I would say the partnership has never been stronger than it is today. It occurred to me yesterday, I haven’t seen it this productive, we’re doing very significant work, since we were assembling this thing with a visiting shuttle crew.”</p> <p>Williams is now looking to spend more time on our planet, with his grandchildren.</p> <p>What an achievement! Send messages of congratulations in the comments. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/astronaut-posts-photos-from-space/"><strong>Astronaut posts amazing photos of the UK from space</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/nasa-pictures-first-flowers-in-space/"><strong>NASA astronaut shares pictures of first flowers grown in space</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/11/astronaut-plays-amazing-grace-bagpipe/"><strong>Astronaut plays Amazing Grace on bagpipes from space</strong></a></em></span></p>

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NASA astronaut shares pictures of first flowers grown in space

<p>In what’s will be remembered as one small step for man and one giant leap for pot plants with extra-terrestrial ambitions, a NASA astronaut has posted pictures of the first flower successfully grown in space.</p> <p>Scott Kelly, an American astronaut currently stationed on the International Space Station, posted a picture of the orange zinnia flower on his Twitter account.</p> <p>Mr Kelly wrote, “First ever flower grown in space makes its debut. Yes, there are other life forms in space.”</p> <p>Early pictures show the planets were initially struggling in the conditions, but Mr Kelly has had plenty of time to tend to them over the last couple of weeks and the results are starting to show.</p> <p>And while two of them died, the remaining flowers seem to be going strong!</p> <p>Mr Kelly has developed quite a reputation for maintaining a great social media presence even in orbit, tweeting a series of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/10/astronaut-tweets-photos-of-australia/">amazing pictures of Australia last year</a></strong></span>. </p> <p>To view the flowers, scroll through the gallery above. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Scott Kelly</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/swimmers-evacuated-7-metre-shark-spotted/">Swimmers evacuated as 7-metre shark is spotted off coast</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/astronomers-dedicate-constellation-to-david-bowie/">Astronomers dedicate constellation of stars to David Bowie</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/the-panda-hidden-in-this-picture/">Can you find the panda hidden in this picture?</a></strong></em></span></p>

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Meet the world’s newest non-human astronaut

<p>Finally the world is sending a sloth in a spacesuit to the moon… well kind of.</p> <p>Lunar Mission One (LMO), a commercial space project, is planning to launch an unmanned mission to the moon in 2017 and intends to leave a time capsule providing an extensive record of human life.</p> <p>In a move that will surely provide a great deal of confusion aliens from the future, a picture of a sloth wearing a spacesuit is going to be included as a part of this record. </p> <p><img width="500" height="638" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10372/astronaut-sloth_500x638.jpg" alt="Astronaut Sloth" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Tumblr / Pedro Dionisio</em></p> <p>The picture, a famous internet meme created by Portuguese graphic designer Pedro Dionísio, was selected by online community Reddit to be part of the package LMO will be leaving on the moon.</p> <p>The image of the sloth in the spacesuit has taken the internet by storm, but is the product of Mr Dionísio figuring out how to crop animal heads on different bodies. Mr Dionísio had intended to throw the image out, but his girlfriend thought the picture was funny and posted it online.</p> <p>From there the image of the astronaut sloth took the internet by storm.</p> <p>Mr Dionísio was somewhat surprised when he was contacted by <em>The Washington Post</em> about the decision to send a picture of an astronaut sloth to space, saying, “That's crazy, this is news to me. I've been spending the last 24 hours ... thinking about how I'm going to write this into my portfolio.”</p>

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