A special zero-gravity indicator is being carried by the astronauts travelling to the International Space Station (ISS) in the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft. The crew disclosed that a plush doll depicting physicist Albert Einstein is travelling with them. The stuffed animal conveys that the spaceship is navigating safely in addition to echoing the scientist’s “pleasant thought.”
The tradition of carrying soft toys as zero-gravity indicators was introduced by the Soviet cosmonauts
The Soviet cosmonauts started the custom of using plush toys as markers of zero gravity. The Unemployed Philosophers Guild deserves praise for the “small guy” on the SpaceX mission. The 11-inch tall Einstein doll is clad in a grey pullover and black pants. When it comes to the scientist’s distinctive unruly white hair, the creators have nailed the intricacies.
“On Crew-5, we call this little guy our ‘free-fall indicator.’ We’re here to tell you that there’s plenty of gravity up here,” said Crew-5 pilot Josh Cassada.”In fact, that is what is keeping us in orbit right now and preventing this trip on Crew Dragon from being a one-way trip.”Cassada is joined by Nicole Mann (commander), Koichi Wakata, and Anna Kikina.
When the spaceship enters orbit, or when the objects start to fall freely, soft toys serve as a signal. Other toys that have travelled on SpaceX flights include a plush Earth globe, a baby penguin, a monkey, and a teddy dog. There was also a sequined dinosaur.
Einstein’s “happy thought” in 1907
One of the most important physicists in history is Einstein. He received the Physics Nobel Prize in 1921 for discovering the photoelectric effect. Additionally, he advanced the revolutionary theory of relativity. The late scientist’s “happy thought” in 1907 was that one would feel weightless when entering orbit. There is ample evidence to support his speculation now, several decades later.