As four new astronauts from NASA’s Crew-10 mission arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) early Sunday morning, they were met with an extraterrestrial welcome. Floating among his fellow crew members was Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner, donning an alien mask, complete with a hoodie, pants, and socks, in a lighthearted prank that added a dose of levity to the serious business of space travel.
The stunt took place shortly after the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked to the ISS at 12:04 AM EDT (12:04 PM PHT), following a nearly 29-hour journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As the ISS crew prepared for the hatch opening, Vagner seized the moment to break the ice with the newly arrived astronauts — NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
Vagner, still in his alien disguise, floated alongside the ISS crew as the new arrivals entered, prompting laughter.
"It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive," said ISS crew member Suni Williams, who was part of the welcoming team.
The moment of humor stood in stark contrast to the demanding nature of space missions. With months of rigorous training, high-stakes experiments, and the mental and physical toll of extended stays in microgravity, astronauts rely on camaraderie and occasional playfulness to maintain morale.
Williams and Butch Wilmore, both veterans of the ISS, will spend the next few days helping the newcomers adjust to their new home in orbit. Meanwhile, Crew-9 commander Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are preparing for their departure, set for early Wednesday morning before splashing down off Florida’s coast.