‘The Mandalorian’ Star Baby Yoda Heads To International Space Station To Serve With Astronauts

Many fans of Disney’s The Mandalorian likely dream of heading into space. Recently, Baby Yoda, their smallest hero from the series, is doing just that. On Sunday, Baby Yoda climbed on board the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Resilience.” He was on his way to the International Space Station (ISS) to serve as the crew’s zero-gravity indicator.

Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian heads to the ISS

SpaceX Crew Dragon “Resilience” launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday. It set off for the International Space Station. Onboard were four astronauts, along with a cute addition to the crew in the form of Baby Yoda.

A live stream from NASA/SpaceX showed the crew members heading to the ISS. These included Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, Mike Hopkins and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi. The astronauts were accompanied by the plush Baby Yoda, who could be seen floating around the cabin.

NASA’s communications specialist Leah Cheshier said in the live stream that they had four astronauts on board. Leah then said it was actually five, as they also have Baby Yoda on board. She joked that “Baby Yoda is trying to pilot the vehicle.”

Baby Yoda running the show

After they got settled, Victor Glover spoke to SpaceX mission control. He said, “Baby Yoda says you guys can come back on board.” People quotes CBS affiliate WKMG as saying this meant the cameras inside the spacecraft could now be turned back on.

Baby Yoda is a popular character in Disney’s Star Wars spinoff series, The Mandalorian. He has a special mission onboard the International Space Station as the crew’s zero-gravity indicator. When the plush toy floats, the buckled-in astronauts will know the spacecraft has achieved zero gravity.

Falcon 9 launches Crew Dragon on its first operational flight with astronauts on board, beginning regular crew flights to the @space_station from the U.S. pic.twitter.com/C8oBqMcAuj

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 16, 2020

Plush toys on SpaceX Crew Dragon missions

Baby Yoda is next in a series of plush toys taking on a role in the International Space Station missions. Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley’s SpaceX Crew Dragon mission in May featured a blue and pink sequined dinosaur. In March 2019, a stuffed Earth toy joined an uncrewed mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon.

It was due to 2020’s many challenges that the crew named their Dragon capsule “Resilience.” Astronaut and mission commander Mike Hopkins said it had been a tough year for everybody. They felt the name of their vehicle should give a “little hope, a little inspiration.” It will also put a smile on people’s faces, which is something they definitely want to do.

Astronauts and ‘The Mandalorian’ star in orbit until spring

The astronauts and Baby Yoda will remain in orbit on the ISS until spring. At that time, their replacements will arrive on another SpaceX Dragon capsule. Their regular supply and food deliveries will come via a cargo version of the capsule. The latest mission is the second crewed mission onboard Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Let’s wish The Mandalorian star Baby Yoda loads of fun floating around with the astronauts in space.