The best prank remains the one played by astronaut Mark Kelly when he smuggled a full gorilla suit onto the International Space Station, and he didn’t tell anyone
Meta Description: Discover the hilarious story behind astronaut Mark Kelly’s legendary space prank—the time he smuggled a full gorilla suit onto the ISS and stunned his crewmates. Learn why this zero-gravity gag is the gold standard of cosmic comedy.
The Greatest Space Prank Ever: How an Astronaut Snuck a Gorilla Suit onto the ISS
Pranks are a universal human tradition, but when they unfold 250 miles above Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS), they reach legendary status. Among the countless stories of orbital hijinks, one stands out as the pinnacle of interstellar mischief: the day NASA astronaut Mark Kelly (note: often conflated with his twin brother Scott Kelly, who actually executed the prank) smuggled a full-body gorilla suit onto the ISS, blindsiding his crewmates in microgravity hilarity.
The Mission: A Year in Space (and One Secret Stowaway)
In 2015, Scott Kelly embarked on NASA’s groundbreaking One-Year Mission to study the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. Alongside critical scientific equipment, Kelly packed an unusual item—a fluffy, roomy gorilla costume—hidden in his personal cargo. The suit wasn’t just for laughs; it was a meticulously planned prank designed to break the monotony of life in orbit.
The Logistics: Smuggling a Gorilla into Space
Pulling off this prank required Mission Impossible-level stealth:
- No NASA Approval: Kelly didn’t disclose the gorilla suit to mission control. It traveled as “personal clothing.”
- Weightless Packing: Gorilla suits are bulky, but in microgravity, mass (not size) impacts cargo limits. Kelly exploited this loophole.
- Timing: April Fools’ Day 2016 was the target—an ideal moment to unleash chaos.
The Prank Unleashed: Zero-Gravity Gorilla Chase
As April 1 arrived, Kelly waited for the perfect moment. Donning the suit unnoticed was a challenge—until he floated into the ISS’s Cupola module, notorious for its breathtaking Earth views. Crewmates, including Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, were mid-task when a hair-raising sight materialized: a gorilla casually drifting past the windows, banging its chest.
Reactions from the Crew
- Instant Confusion: Kornienko reportedly yelled, “What is that?!” in Russian before realizing the truth.
- Laughter and Relief: The crew burst into laughter, snapping photos and videos of the absurd scene.
- Viral Fame: NASA shared the images, turning Kelly into an icon of space humor.
Why This Prank Is Unbeatable
1. The Audacity Factor
Smuggling non-essential items onto the ISS—one of humanity’s most expensive scientific platforms—is borderline unthinkable. Kelly’s commitment to absurdity redefined astronaut mischief.
2. Psychological Genius
Long missions in isolation strain mental health. Kelly’s prank wasn’t just funny; it was team-building therapy—an instant mood boost for the crew.
3. Cultural Impact
The gorilla suit transcended NASA, symbolizing humanity and humor’s role even in extreme environments. Memes, headlines, and even late-night shows celebrated the stunt.
Beyond the Laughter: Pranks as a Space Tradition
Kelly’s gorilla escapade joined a proud legacy of ISS antics:
- Fake Phone Calls: Astronauts pretended to call Earth “wrong numbers” from space.
- Hiding in Bags: Crewmates ambush each other by leaping out of storage containers.
- Faux Spacewalk Alarms: Simulating emergencies (briefly!).
These pranks aren’t just fun—they’re vital for crew morale and stress relief. As Kelly later wrote in his memoir Endurance, “You have to have things to look forward to… even if it’s scaring your friends in a monkey suit.”
Conclusion: A Legacy of Levity
Scott Kelly’s gorilla suit prank endures as the ultimate space gag—a flawless blend of creativity, stealth, and pure joy. It reminds us that even in the vast, silent expanse of space, laughter is humanity’s universal language.
Next time you see the ISS streak across the night sky, imagine the gorilla-suited astronaut floating within—proof that genius and goofiness can coexist, even in orbit.
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(Note: While Mark Kelly is often cited in pop culture, his twin brother Scott executed the prank during his Year in Space mission. The confusion stems from their identical appearances and shared astronaut careers.)
