posted 03-04-2024 02:25 AM               

'Family dog' continues 5 years of zero-g indicators on SpaceX flights

Three American astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut and a small English Springer Spaniel are now on their way to the International Space Station.

The four members of SpaceX's Crew-8 mission, who launched aboard the Dragon spacecraft "Endeavour" on Sunday night (March 3), continued a five-year (and one-day) custom of bringing with them a doll to show they were in the microgravity environment of outer space.

posted 03-04-2024 02:27 AM               

Crew-8's zero-g indicator appeared to match a doll made by Douglas, one of the oldest plush makers in the United States. The company's "Flair Springer Spaniel" has the same brown and white spotted coat as the doll now on orbit.