Mark Kelly Gorilla - The Space Station Prank

There's a story that floats around, quite literally, about a gorilla in space. It's a tale that often brings a smile to people's faces, especially when they hear about who was behind the whole thing. This particular space traveler wasn't just any ape; it was a gorilla suit, and it made an appearance on the International Space Station, all thanks to a well-known figure: Mark Kelly. It really was quite a surprise for everyone involved, especially for the person who got to wear it.

This unexpected visitor in orbit wasn't some strange alien life form or a new scientific experiment. Instead, it was a moment of pure, unadulterated fun, a bit of lightheartedness brought to a place where folks usually focus on serious research and keeping things running smoothly. The idea, you know, came from a desire to add a little cheer to the long days spent far from home. It goes to show that even in the most serious of settings, there's always room for a good laugh.

So, how did a gorilla suit end up orbiting our planet, and what part did Mark Kelly play in this unusual event? It's a story that involves twin brothers, a birthday, and a rather memorable video clip that made its rounds on the internet. We'll take a closer look at this interesting space station moment and what made it so special, and perhaps, just a little bit legendary in its own way.

Table of Contents

Who is Mark Kelly - An Astronaut's Story

Mark Kelly is a person many people know for a few different reasons. He's been up in space as an astronaut, and he's also had a career in public service. His path to becoming an astronaut involved a lot of training and dedication, just like anyone who gets to go to space. He has a twin brother, Scott Kelly, who also happens to be an astronaut. This shared profession makes their story quite unique, and it plays a big part in the gorilla suit tale. Their connection, you know, is pretty strong, and it often comes up when people talk about their time working for the space program.

The fact that they are identical twins who both became space travelers is, in some respects, quite a remarkable thing. They've shared many experiences, and their bond is clearly a close one. This particular incident with the gorilla suit really highlights their playful side and the way they interact with each other, even when one of them is far away from Earth. It shows that, at the end of the day, they are still brothers who like to have a bit of fun, and that's something pretty cool to see.

Personal Details and Bio Data

NameMark Edward Kelly
OccupationAstronaut, Public Servant
Twin BrotherScott Joseph Kelly
Notable RoleArranged for the gorilla suit's delivery to space

What Was the Mark Kelly Gorilla Prank All About?

So, the whole point of this gorilla suit business was to bring some laughter to the International Space Station. Scott Kelly, who was living and working up there for a long stretch, apparently felt a need for a little bit of humor. Life in space, you can imagine, is very serious and focused, but it also means being away from family and friends for a very long time. That kind of situation, you know, can make anyone crave a moment of pure silliness, something to break up the routine and just make everyone smile. This was Scott's way of getting that much-needed dose of fun.

The idea was to have a gorilla suit appear unexpectedly on the space station, creating a memorable and funny scene for the crew. It wasn't about causing trouble or being disruptive, but rather about injecting some joy into their isolated environment. The prank, in a way, was a gift of cheer, a moment of unexpected lightheartedness in a place where every action is usually planned and precise. It really shows how important it is to keep spirits up, no matter where you are, or what you are doing.

How Did the Mark Kelly Gorilla Suit Get to Space?

Getting a gorilla suit into space sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but it actually happened. Mark Kelly, Scott's brother, played a big part in making it possible. He arranged for the suit to be sent up as a personal item on one of the supply flights. You see, astronauts are allowed to bring a small amount of personal belongings with them on their journeys to space, and this particular suit fit within the weight limits. Both the Soyuz and the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, apparently, allow for about 3.3 pounds, or 1.5 kilograms, for personal items. So, the suit, in some respects, was just another piece of luggage, albeit a very unusual one.

Interestingly, this wasn't the first attempt to send a gorilla suit to Scott. There was an earlier try in 2015, but that one didn't quite make it. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which was carrying supplies, unfortunately, was lost in a rather big fireball. That meant the first gorilla suit, sadly, never reached its destination. But Mark Kelly, you know, didn't give up on the idea. He found another way to make sure his brother got his special delivery, proving that sometimes, you just have to try again to get something done, especially when it's meant to bring a smile to someone's face.

It's worth noting that NASA, the space agency, was actually aware of the plan. This wasn't some secret operation Mark pulled off without anyone knowing. NASA has to approve everything that goes up to the space station, for safety and other reasons. So, they were in on the joke, so to speak. They knew that the gorilla suit was a surprise for Scott's birthday, and they allowed it to be included with the other supplies. This really shows that even serious organizations can appreciate a bit of fun and a good prank, especially when it helps keep spirits up for people working far from home.

Why Did Mark Kelly Send a Mark Kelly Gorilla Suit to Space?

The main reason for sending the gorilla suit was to give Scott Kelly a birthday surprise. Scott was turning 52 on February 21, 2016, and his brother Mark wanted to do something memorable for him while he was in space. It was a thoughtful gesture, a way for Mark to connect with his twin and make his time away from Earth a little more enjoyable. You know, a birthday far from home can be a bit lonely, so a surprise like this would have been a very welcome distraction for Scott and the others on board. It was, in a way, a very personal gift, meant to bring some cheer.

When asked why he sent the suit, Mark Kelly apparently gave a simple, yet rather amusing, answer. He said it was "because there's never been a gorilla in space before." That line, you know, perfectly sums up the playful spirit behind the whole event. It wasn't about breaking any rules or setting records for scientific discovery. It was just about doing something silly and unprecedented, something that would make people laugh and create a fun memory. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best reasons for doing things are simply to bring a bit of joy into the world, even if that world is floating hundreds of miles above us.

The Gorilla's Grand Appearance - A Space Station Moment

The actual moment the gorilla appeared on the International Space Station was captured on video, and it's quite a sight. The clip, which Mark Kelly later shared, shows Scott Kelly emerging from a white box, already dressed in the full gorilla suit. He didn't just walk out; he burst out, in a way, surprising another crew member who was just going about their daily business. The gorilla then floated around, chasing the unsuspecting person, creating a truly memorable and rather funny scene in the zero-gravity environment. It really looks like something out of a cartoon, with the gorilla suit floating and tumbling through the station's modules, which is pretty amazing to see.

The reaction of the other crew members, while not fully shown in every version of the video, must have been one of pure astonishment followed by laughter. Imagine being in space, working hard, and then suddenly seeing a gorilla floating towards you! It would certainly be a moment you wouldn't soon forget. This prank, you know, was a lighthearted break from the serious work of space exploration, a moment of shared amusement that probably helped strengthen the bonds among the crew. It just goes to show that even in the most serious of jobs, there's room for a bit of playful interaction, and that's a good thing for everyone involved.

Was This Mark Kelly Gorilla Idea from the Start?

The idea for the gorilla suit prank, you know, really did come from Mark Kelly. Scott Kelly himself, his twin brother, made it clear that Mark had a big part to play in getting this funny moment to happen. It wasn't Scott who just decided to bring a gorilla suit with him. Instead, it was Mark who thought of it as a surprise and then worked to make sure it got delivered to the space station. He didn't tell anyone on the station about it beforehand, so the appearance of the gorilla was a genuine surprise for everyone, including Scott at first, which is pretty much how a good prank works.

The story of the gorilla suit, you know, spread quite a bit after Mark posted the video. People found it incredibly amusing to think of a gorilla floating around in space. It's the kind of unexpected event that captures people's attention and makes them smile. The way the story came out, with Mark being the one to share the video and reveal his involvement, really cemented his role as the mastermind behind this unique space station moment. It just goes to show that sometimes, the simplest ideas can create the biggest and most memorable reactions, especially when they involve something as out-of-place as a gorilla in orbit.

The Mark Kelly Gorilla Video - A Viral Sensation

The video of the gorilla suit in space, you know, quickly became very popular. When Mark Kelly shared it on social media, people started passing it around like wildfire. It was one of those clips that everyone wanted to see because it was so unexpected and funny. People loved the idea of such a silly thing happening in such a serious place. It showed a different side of life as an astronaut, a more human and relatable side, which is something many people appreciated seeing. The video, apparently, just resonated with a lot of folks who were looking for a bit of cheer.

Even years after it first appeared, the clip of the gorilla in space has popped up again and again. For instance, a group called Goodable shared the story once more in early 2022, reminding everyone of the funny event. This shows how much staying power the video has. It's not just a one-time laugh; it's something that people enjoy revisiting. The image of a gorilla floating through the space station is, you know, pretty unforgettable, and it continues to bring smiles to new viewers every time it gets shared. It just goes to show that some moments of humor can truly stand the test of time, and this one certainly has.

What Lessons Can We Learn from the Mark Kelly Gorilla Story?

The story of the Mark Kelly gorilla suit, you know, offers a few interesting things to think about. One big takeaway is the importance of humor, especially when people are in challenging or isolated environments. Being in space for a long time, away from everything familiar, can be tough on a person's spirits. A moment of unexpected fun, like a gorilla suit appearing, can make a huge difference in keeping morale up. It shows that even in very serious jobs, finding ways to laugh and be lighthearted is, in a way, very important for well-being. It's a reminder that we all need a little bit of fun in our lives, no matter where we are.

Another thing we can see from this story is the strong bond between brothers, especially twins. Mark Kelly went to a lot of effort to surprise Scott and bring him some joy. This kind of thoughtful gesture, you know, really speaks to the depth of their connection. It wasn't just about a prank; it was about showing love and support from afar. The fact that they both became astronauts and still found ways to share these kinds of personal moments is, in some respects, pretty inspiring. It just goes to show that family connections can be incredibly strong, even across vast distances and through the very serious work of space travel.

Science group backs US Sen. Mark Kelly in VP race
Science group backs US Sen. Mark Kelly in VP race
Mark Kelly is one of the wealthier members of Congress. What to know
Mark Kelly is one of the wealthier members of Congress. What to know
Mark Kelly's political career: What you need to know about his rise
Mark Kelly's political career: What you need to know about his rise

Detail Author:

  • Name : Ms. Hallie Paucek II
  • Username : ywelch
  • Email : iernser@bogan.info
  • Birthdate : 1979-03-02
  • Address : 823 Prince Underpass West Frederique, PA 06152
  • Phone : 1-419-539-5596
  • Company : Shanahan and Sons
  • Job : Sys Admin
  • Bio : Vitae dolor sint voluptatem qui. Dolorem in consequuntur architecto sit et quaerat. Voluptatem est non excepturi et ut sit. Porro aspernatur sit voluptas asperiores quasi dolorem illum.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/susiebernier
  • username : susiebernier
  • bio : Quidem rerum necessitatibus quod alias id et inventore. Et voluptates et nobis expedita vitae et cumque et.
  • followers : 3794
  • following : 2991

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/sbernier
  • username : sbernier
  • bio : Quis ut ut quia a magnam cumque. Dolore sequi id cupiditate unde omnis ipsum.
  • followers : 209
  • following : 2259

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@susie5384
  • username : susie5384
  • bio : Exercitationem impedit occaecati tempora sed voluptatibus eius dolor.
  • followers : 3090
  • following : 2480

linkedin:

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/sbernier
  • username : sbernier
  • bio : Eum eaque natus aperiam magnam sit magnam laborum harum.
  • followers : 751
  • following : 2849

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE