posted 12-13-2022 01:20 AM               

SpaceX launched Qatar World Cup match balls on Falcon 9 first stage

As has almost become routine, a recent SpaceX Falcon 9 launch included the rocket's first stage landing back on Earth. What differed this time around is that the touchdown could also be described as scoring a World Cup GOOOOAAAALLLL!

Qatar Airways partnered with SpaceX to give two FIFA World Cup official match balls the ultimate kick — all the way to outer space. The soccer balls (or footballs, as they are called everywhere else but in the U.S.) reached 76 miles (123 km) above Earth while packed inside the Falcon 9 first stage.