The Artemis II crew (and the ISS astronauts) spent the week unintentionally being comedians. Highlights include Commander Reid Wiseman delivering the instantly iconic line: “I have two Microsoft Outlooks and neither one of those are working” during tech issues, and Christina Koch proudly declaring herself the “space plumber” after fixing the onboard toilet.
varound the Orion capsule, filmed goofy 80s–style sitcom intro parodies, and constantly reminded viewers they were in space by floating sideways or letting hair fan out in microgravity. When they reached the mission’s furthest point from Earth, the crew jokingly scrambled to the far side of the capsule to claim the title of “furthest human.” Meanwhile, astronauts on the ISS did the same in friendly competition.
NASA even set up an audio call between Artemis II and the ISS, where Koch affectionately called Jessica Meir her “astro-sister,” and Meir responded that she was glad they were “back in space together,” even if separated by 230,000 miles.
Finally, during an interview with Jeremy Hansen, Wiseman and Koch casually batted their moon-plush mascot, Rise, back and forth in the background — because even astronauts can’t resist playing with stuffed toys in zero gravity.