Most people don’t see the significance of space exploration, but it has contributed a lot to modern life. Many of our everyday gadgets are repurposed technologies from NASA missions. Fortunately, the space agency reminded everyone by reacting to the Super Bowl LVIII. Space crews shared their enthusiasm for the big event in outer space.
On February 10, 2024, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA uploaded a video of two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). They were playfully tossing a football in zero gravity, hyping up for the showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
NASA also has a video showing the football equipment made possible by space research.
What were NASA’s recent Super Bowl posts?
On Saturday last week, Expedition 70 astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara tossed a pigskin inside the ISS. NASA’s Johnson Space Center posted the funny clip on its X page.
“Getting some reps in before Super Bowl Sunday,” its caption read. They had to be careful as the football may hit surrounding laptops, cables, and other equipment.
However, there wasn’t any gravity, so the football flew off with a light nudge. Later, NASA released a longer YouTube video where O’Hara joked that new Kansas City fans are “Swiftly coming up to speed.”
She alluded that they only watched football recently because of the pop icon’s new interest in the game. Moreover, Moghbeli made a heart symbol with her hands, which Swift has been doing on stage since the 2009-2010 “Fearless” tour.
Space.com said the National Football League (NFL) also uses hand hearts in some commercials as a nod to Swifties or Taylor Swift fans. More importantly, the video compared space exploration and football:
“Football and space exploration are also both team sports. Whether it’s launching to the space station or arriving at the stadium in Las Vegas, none of us got here alone.”
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“Years of training, good teamwork, clear communication, and trust are what enable all of us to play at the top of our games.” Then, Loral O’Hara said, “Good luck to all the athletes, and we hope everyone watching has fun today.”
A five-year-old YouTube video from the official NASA channel showed space tech found in modern football. For example, shock-absorbent pads and fabrics for astronauts protect players.