Topic: Gorilla suit in space: Mark/Scott Kelly gag video
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-23-2016 08:15 PM
Former astronaut Mark Kelly conspired with his twin brother, Expedition 46 commander Scott Kelly, to pull off a prank on board the International Space Station. On Monday (Feb. 22), Mark revealed the gag gift he sent to Scott in a video posted to Twitter:
Um, @StationCDRKelly, I thought you said you had things under control up there on @Space_Station? #ApeInSpace
Scott shared the video as well:
Needed a little humor to lighten up a #YearInSpace. Go big, or go home. I think I'll do both. #SpaceApe
Scott will wrap a nearly year-long mission in space when he lands with cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergei Volkov on March 1.
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 02-23-2016 09:08 PM
That is a great video. I'm sure that Scott needed a bit of levity after nearly a year in space. Memories from Apollo 15!
randy Member
Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 02-23-2016 09:24 PM
That's hilarious! Our tax dollars at well deserved play.
Skythings Member
Posts: 243 From: Registered: Jun 2014
posted 02-24-2016 02:06 AM
I wonder what that Gorilla suit will be worth at auction.
oly Member
Posts: 905 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 02-24-2016 02:56 AM
That has to be one of the funniest things I have seen from NASA, ever. Well done to everyone who would have been involved to make that possible. I just hope the fun police don't drop their bottom lip and frown down on it or try to bring up that it would have cost this much.
Glint Member
Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 02-24-2016 02:35 PM
It was a good thing nothing got broken during that orbital horse play.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-24-2016 02:39 PM
The footage is sped up, but it's safe to say that after almost a year on board, Kelly is skilled at navigating the space station — even while wearing a gorilla suit. (Other astronauts have had similar chases, though without the costume.)
Ian Limbrey Member
Posts: 124 From: England Registered: Nov 2012
posted 02-24-2016 02:55 PM
Just wondering though, if Ham was still alive, how would he have reacted to this??
star51L Member
Posts: 340 From: Vilano Beach, FL, USA Registered: Aug 2002
posted 02-24-2016 04:56 PM
Seems everyone got a kick out of this.
Except Keith Cowing. (rolleyes)
oly Member
Posts: 905 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 02-24-2016 07:00 PM
If Kelly is an astronaut participating in a year long research experiment and near the end of this year long experiment you can present him with a gift that his twin brother knows he will get a kick out of, then perhaps watching his reaction and interactions were part of the experiment. Cost and action justified perhaps.
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 02-24-2016 10:20 PM
quote:Originally posted by MCroft04: Memories from Apollo 15!
I meant to say Apollo 12; which Apollo 15's Worden was likely involved. Who remembers the story?
328KF Member
Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 02-24-2016 10:38 PM
You know I do Mel! And many here who have attended an ASF show have probably even met the "girl in the bikini" from that gag film without even realizing it.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-25-2016 01:24 AM
Scott Kelly described the logistics and thought behind the gorilla suit in an interview with CBS News on Wednesday (Feb. 24):
It is interesting when you vacuum pack something it doesn't take up a whole lot of room.
It was his [Mark Kelly's] idea but I embraced it because, for one, when you try to get kids' attention and teach them about science and math and engineering and things like that, the first thing you have to do is get their attention. And nothing gets people's attention like a gorilla in space.
So I think I am going to use that video for a long time to come with kids.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 02-25-2016 03:21 AM
Should do wonders for the sale of the astronaut monkeys in NASA gift shops!
I hope there are some good quality stills of Scott in his "suit"?
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 02-25-2016 10:27 PM
While in my youth, this same music was used in many skits on the TV show "Big Chuck & Hoolihan" show, now "BC & Little John Show," including skits utilizing a "gorilla." I watched too much TV growing up...
Kite Member
Posts: 831 From: Northampton UK Registered: Nov 2009
posted 02-26-2016 03:50 AM
Over here that music was used on the Benny Hill show, in risque comedy sketches from about three decades ago.
NeilPearson Member
Posts: 147 From: UK Registered: May 2013
posted 02-26-2016 03:52 AM
Apes in space? That's been done before - Hoot Gibbon, for example!
That's the best astronaut/ape pun I could come up with. Can anyone do better?
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 02-26-2016 04:08 AM
I'm not as close to ISS coverage as perhaps I should be.
NASA Human Spaceflight Gallery is now no longer updated with ISS imagery so where is the best place to find the latest on-board imagery?
I'm hoping somebody took some good shots of Scott in his gorilla outfit.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 02-26-2016 06:48 AM
The real question is, will the gorilla become the seventh member of the ISS and stay up there or will it come home on a Dragon?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-26-2016 07:09 AM
quote:Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn: I'm hoping somebody took some good shots of Scott in his gorilla outfit.
The footage of the gorilla suit wasn't released by NASA, but rather by Mark Kelly. As such, it may be that any photos of the suit will need to come from him or Scott (after his return to Earth).
posted 02-26-2016 10:33 AM
So for those teachers or non, is there a NASA contact to know how to contact this Mr. Kelly after he returns to obtain permisssion?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-26-2016 11:01 AM
Scott Kelly is a NASA astronaut. His contact is through the Astronaut Office, just as with any other active astronaut.
posted 02-23-2016 08:15 PM
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