You Won’t Believe These Bizarre Objects Humans Have Sent to Space!

From Star Wars lightsabers to Lego figurines, humanity has launched an array of peculiar items beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Discover the most unusual and intriguing objects that have made their way into the cosmos, challenging our perceptions of space exploration.

The tragic tale of Laika: Earth’s first space traveler

Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, became one of the world’s most famous animals when she orbited Earth as the first living creature in space. On November 3, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Laika aboard Sputnik 2, a mission aimed at demonstrating the viability of sending living beings into space and studying the effects of spaceflight on organisms.

Laika was chosen partly due to her resilience and suitable size for the small capsule. Despite efforts to ensure her well-being, the canine pioneer tragically did not survive the journey. This early space mission sparked discussions about the ethics of animal testing in space exploration and paved the way for future advancements in space travel safety.

Pop culture invades the final frontier

The space beyond our planet has become a repository for an eclectic mix of pop culture artifacts. Here are some of the most notable:

• Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from “Return of the Jedi”
• Lego figurines representing Jupiter, Juno, and Galileo Galilei
• A Tesla Roadster, courtesy of SpaceX
• Ashes of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek
• Partial ashes of Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto

NASA supported sending Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber to space as part of a collaboration with Lucasfilm to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars franchise. After completing its orbital mission, the iconic prop was returned to the production company as a unique memento of science fiction’s influence on space exploration.

In 2011, NASA included Lego figures on the Juno mission, designed to study Jupiter. These miniature representations of the Roman god Jupiter, his wife Juno, and the famous Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei added a touch of whimsy to the serious scientific endeavor.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX made headlines in 2018 by launching a Tesla Roadster into space. This audacious feat not only captured public attention but also served as a symbol of private space exploration’s ambition and potential.

Sounds of Earth: A cosmic time capsule

In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager 1 and 2 space probes to study areas beyond our solar system. Carl Sagan and other NASA committee members prepared a golden record as a way to portray life on Earth through sounds and images, creating a “time capsule” for any intelligent life form that might encounter it in the vast universe.

The record includes:

1. Spoken greetings in 55 different languages
2. Samples of human sounds like laughter
3. Music from various cultures
4. Sounds of nature

As of 2020, both probes were more than 11 billion miles from Earth (three times the distance from Earth to Pluto). However, it will take another 40,000 years for the probes to encounter another planetary system.

Space: The new frontier for advertising and entertainment

Corporations and entertainers have also found ways to extend their reach into the cosmos:

• Pizza Hut made history in 2001 by delivering a pizza to the International Space Station crew. The “delivery” cost $1 million, and the pizza required ingredient adjustments to adapt to microgravity.
• A 15-minute concert on a Theremin (considered the world’s rarest instrument) was broadcast to space.
• The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” was transmitted with a message from Paul McCartney: “Send my love to the aliens”.
• An invitation in Klingon (from Star Trek) to attend a Klingon opera on Earth was sent skyward.
• A video of the best moments of Romanian gymnasts from 2006 made its way to the stars.

Scientific and cultural oddities in orbit

Space missions have also carried some unexpected items of scientific and cultural significance:

DNA of Stephen Colbert on a microchip: The popular comedian’s genetic material was launched into space, blending humor with scientific preservation.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: This fundamental document was sent to space, symbolizing humanity’s aspirations for equality and justice beyond Earth.

Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles” on DVD: The science fiction classic found a fitting home among the stars.

Stephen Hawking’s 6-minute speech: The renowned physicist’s words were broadcast into space, carrying his insights beyond our planet.

A photo of an Audi engine: Even automotive technology has had its moment in the cosmic spotlight.

The future of unusual space payloads

As space exploration continues to evolve, we can expect more unconventional items to make their way beyond Earth’s atmosphere. These unique payloads serve various purposes:

• Inspiring public interest in space missions
• Testing materials and objects in extreme conditions
• Commemorating human achievements and culture
• Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space

While some may view these unusual space travelers as frivolous, they play an important role in bridging the gap between scientific pursuits and public engagement. By sending familiar objects into the unfamiliar realm of space, we create tangible connections between our everyday lives and the vast frontier of cosmic exploration.

As we continue to push the boundaries of space travel and colonization, the list of unexpected items making their way to the stars will undoubtedly grow. From practical experiments to symbolic gestures, these objects reflect humanity’s curiosity, creativity, and unwavering desire to leave its mark on the universe.

The next time you gaze up at the night sky, remember that among the countless stars and planets, there might be a pizza, a car, or even a lightsaber floating by – silent witnesses to humanity’s audacious journey into the final frontier.