NASA and commercial space companies keep pretty strict rules about what astronauts can bring with them. These personal items aren’t just for fun—they help astronauts cope with the stress of space, but they still have to pass safety checks and can’t be confused with essential gear.
NASA uses the Personal Preference Kit (PPK) system, a tradition that started way back with the Gemini missions. Federal Aviation Regulations let astronauts carry a few personal mementos, but nothing too wild.
The weight limits depend on the spacecraft. During the Space Shuttle era, astronauts got 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg) of personal items in a small 5×8×2 inch container.
Today, astronauts flying to the International Space Station on Soyuz or SpaceX Crew Dragon still get the same 3.3-pound limit. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Astronauts have to hand in a full list of their personal stuff 60 days before launch. The list includes every item and who it’ll go to after the mission.
NASA management looks over every item before giving the green light. The rules only allow “flags, patches, insignia, medallions, minor graphics, and similar items of little commercial value.” They want to keep things safe and avoid any commercial shenanigans.
Personal items help astronauts deal with the psychological challenges of being stuck in space for months. Music, family photos, little hobby things, and books keep them grounded and connected to home.
Some items turn into powerful mementos. Neil Armstrong, for example, brought wood and fabric from the Wright Flyer to the Moon. Stuart Roosa’s “Moon trees” started as seeds in his kit and now grow all over Earth.
Musical instruments often end up on the International Space Station. Astronauts leave them behind for future crews, creating a kind of ongoing tradition. It’s a neat way to pass something down.
Astronauts also pack things that honor important people or organizations. University pennants, military insignia, and hometown keepsakes all get a chance to go to space. These objects take on even more meaning after the trip.
Mission equipment covers everything needed to fly the spacecraft, do science, and keep the crew safe. Personal items? They’re just for the astronaut—comfort, commemoration, or a touch of home.
Mission-critical equipment goes through tons of testing and certification. Every tool and supply has to meet tough standards, since lives and the mission depend on them.
Personal belongings get a different kind of review. NASA checks for safety, not function. Items can’t mess with spacecraft systems or bring contamination risks. The size and weight rules make sure they don’t take up too much space.
NASA also has Official Flight Kits (OFK). These kits carry bigger items for organizations or governments—think commemorative flags or awards, not personal stuff.
Keeping personal items separate from mission gear makes sense. It avoids any conflict with critical resources, but still lets astronauts keep a piece of their own story during spaceflight.
NASA came up with Personal Preference Kits so astronauts could bring meaningful personal items into space. These little containers have changed over the years, but the idea stuck around from Gemini to the ISS.
The first Personal Preference Kits appeared during the Gemini program in the 1960s. Astronauts got a simple nylon bag, about 6 by 7 inches, for their keepsakes.
Wally Schirra, who flew on Gemini 6A, shared what he packed. He chose Navy wings, a hunting license, medals, flags, and patches. Astronauts really had to think hard about what mattered most.
During Apollo, NASA switched to Beta cloth for the kits. This fireproof material made things safer. Apollo astronauts packed some pretty legendary items.
Neil Armstrong took pieces of the Wright Flyer on Apollo 11—wood from the propeller and fabric from the wing. Michael Collins brought flags from the U.S., Washington D.C., and the Air Force.
Stuart Roosa’s Apollo 14 kit held hundreds of tree seeds. After the mission, many sprouted and became “Moon trees,” which is just awesome.
Astronauts usually pack things that remind them of home or celebrate their achievements. Family photos are a classic pick for long trips.
Religious items show up a lot too. Some astronauts bring texts or symbols from their faith, which helps with the stress of spaceflight.
Flags and patches represent where they come from—military service flags, university pennants, or team merchandise. These small mementos often turn into gifts for family or colleagues after the mission.
Books and personal notes give astronauts something to read or reflect on when they get a break. Everything has to be light and small. Sometimes they even bring calculator tape signed by students.
Musical instruments have found their way to the ISS. Cameras let astronauts capture personal memories, not just official mission photos.
NASA asks astronauts to submit detailed lists of their PPK contents 60 days before launch. The list includes every item and who’ll get it after the mission.
Current rules keep things simple: flags, patches, medallions, and other small objects with little commercial value. NASA reviews everything for safety and policy compliance.
Weight limits haven’t changed much since the Shuttle days. Astronauts get up to 3.3 pounds, and the container has to fit those tight size restrictions.
Soyuz and SpaceX Dragon missions stick to the same 3.3-pound limit. That makes it easier for astronauts to plan, no matter which ride they’re on.
Most astronauts keep their PPK contents private. Some items go on display or become awards, but the privacy lets astronauts bring truly personal things without the world watching.
Astronauts have brought all sorts of remarkable things to space—family photos, university pennants, gold medals, and religious texts. These mementos show the very human side of spaceflight and how important personal connections are, even when you’re orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth.
Michael Collins took three flags on the Apollo 11 mission: the U.S. flag, District of Columbia flag, and Air Force flag. For him, these represented both personal history and national pride during the first lunar landing.
Frank Borman brought a small aluminum sphere on Apollo 8. NASA later turned it into 200,000 medallions for Apollo contributors. A little sphere became a piece of history.
Wally Schirra packed Navy wings, a Florida hunting license, medals, flags, and mission patches for Gemini 6A. He really made his kit count.
Apollo 12 astronauts took four thin aluminum copies of their mission plaque. Alan Bean, Pete Conrad, and Richard Gordon each kept one, and the fourth went to Jack Kinzler, who made the copies.
These choices show how astronauts mix personal meaning with a sense of history.
Family photos top the list for most popular personal items. Astronauts lean on these reminders of loved ones during tough stretches.
Religious texts offer comfort and spiritual support. Bibles, prayer books, or other sacred items often make the trip.
University pennants and sorority pins connect astronauts to their roots. Rhea Seddon brought both on her shuttle flights, along with calculator tape signed by every student in her hometown.
Musical instruments boost morale and give astronauts a creative outlet. Harmonicas, flutes, and other small instruments have all made it to the International Space Station. Sometimes they stay up there for the next crew.
Books give astronauts a break and a bit of mental escape. Michael Collins once said he’d want coffee and a good book if he ever went back.
Personal Preference Kits have changed a lot over the years. Gemini astronauts used grey nylon drawstring bags, about 6 by 7 inches. Apollo crews got standardized bags, 8 by 4 by 2 inches.
The Space Shuttle era set stricter limits: 20 items max in a 5 by 8 by 2 inch bag, weighing no more than 3.3 pounds. Astronauts also got Official Flight Kits for organizational stuff.
On the ISS, astronauts still get 3.3 pounds of personal items, whether they’re flying Soyuz or Crew Dragon. That small limit forces some tough choices.
Thomas Pesquet got a surprise alto saxophone for his 39th birthday on the ISS in 2017. His crewmates hid it until the big day.
Camera gear is super popular. Astronauts often use some of their precious allowance for cameras and lenses, so they can capture their own unique view of Earth.
Each major space program has set its own rules for personal items. The allowances have ranged from tiny nylon bags in Gemini to standardized weight limits in today’s missions. Balancing astronaut morale with safety requirements and the realities of spacecraft design isn’t easy.
The Gemini program started the whole personal preference kit idea. Astronauts got a 6 by 7 inch nylon drawstring bag for their keepsakes.
Wally Schirra’s Gemini 6A kit became public, showing the kinds of things astronauts really wanted to bring—Navy wings, a hunting license, medals, flags, and patches.
Because the bag was so small, astronauts had to pick what mattered most. That set the tone for future missions.
NASA made astronauts declare their personal items before flight and kept the final say. The agency wanted to make sure nothing unsafe or inappropriate ended up onboard.
Apollo missions gave astronauts a bit more room but required safer materials. The kits used Beta cloth, just like the spacesuits, to address safety concerns after the Apollo 1 fire.
Neil Armstrong got a special arrangement to carry Wright Flyer pieces to the Moon. Michael Collins brought several flags, including the U.S., D.C., and Air Force flags.
Frank Borman’s Apollo 8 sphere became thousands of medallions for Apollo contributors. Stuart Roosa’s tree seeds became “Moon trees” back on Earth.
Apollo 12’s crew received aluminum copies of their lunar plaque. The kits supported both personal needs and broader recognition for the program.
The Space Shuttle program set specific weight and size limits for personal items. Astronauts could bring up to 20 personal items, but the total weight couldn’t exceed 3.3 pounds, all packed into a 5 inch by 8 inch by 2 inch bag.
Alongside personal preference kits, the program rolled out the official flight kit. These official kits included items requested by professional organizations and foreign governments—think patches, flags, and ceremonial awards.
On Rhea Seddon’s shuttle flights, she packed things like university pennants, sorority pins, sports team caps, and calculator tape signed by students from her hometown. These objects really showed the personal ties astronauts kept with their communities back on Earth.
Ilan Ramon brought a pencil drawing titled “Moon Landscape” by Petr Ginz, a Holocaust victim, on Columbia’s final mission. That choice showed how personal items sometimes carry deep historical or cultural meaning—sometimes way beyond just the individual.
Today’s space missions let astronauts bring some personal belongings, but they have to stick to strict weight limits and get everything approved. The International Space Station and SpaceX Crew Dragon both set the limit at 3.3 pounds of personal items per crew member.
The ISS uses the Personal Preference Kit system to manage personal items. NASA asks astronauts to submit a full list of their belongings 60 days before launch.
Each astronaut gets 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg) for personal items. Everything has to meet safety rules and pass NASA’s approval process.
Common personal items on the ISS include:
Astronauts often bring musical instruments, and those usually stay on the station for future crews. Over time, this has built up a small collection everyone can enjoy.
The contents of each Personal Preference Kit usually stay private unless astronauts decide to share them. Some items eventually become gifts for NASA contributors or end up in museums after the mission.
SpaceX Crew Dragon sticks to the same 3.3-pound limit for personal items as other vehicles headed to the ISS. With commercial space travel, there’s a sense that new possibilities for personal items might open up.
SpaceX coordinates with NASA to approve personal belongings for Crew Dragon flights. The approval process follows the same safety standards as government missions.
In the future, commercial flights might offer a bit more flexibility. Private missions could change up the weight limits or allow different types of items compared to ISS trips.
SpaceX astronauts have brought things like college pennants, family heirlooms, and small pieces of art. The company encourages crew members to connect their space experiences with schools and communities back home.
The Crew Dragon’s updated design gives astronauts better storage options for personal stuff. Honestly, that makes it easier to keep things organized and accessible during the trip.
Astronauts put a lot of thought into which items to bring. They pick things that keep them connected to Earth and loved ones—family photos, national flags, musical instruments, even religious symbols. These objects offer comfort and a sense of inspiration in the vastness of space.
Family photos top the list of cherished Personal Preference Kit (PPK) items. These images act as emotional anchors during long missions on the ISS.
Astronauts usually bring pictures of their spouses, kids, and parents to keep that connection to home alive. The photos often get special treatment so they can survive space.
Personal mementos mean just as much. Wedding rings, jewelry from loved ones, and tiny keepsakes often travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere. These little objects carry a lot of emotional weight, even if they barely tip the scale.
Common family items include:
Because of the 3.3-pound limit, astronauts really have to choose carefully. Most go for lightweight things that mean the most.
Flags are some of the most popular symbols astronauts bring to space. NASA crews often include American flags, military service flags, and flags from home states or countries.
During Apollo 11, Michael Collins took three flags: the United States flag, the District of Columbia flag, and the Air Force flag. ISS crews have kept this tradition going.
University pennants and school flags let astronauts show pride in their education. Medical schools, engineering programs, and military academies often get their banners flown in orbit by alumni.
Sports team memorabilia makes the trip too. Ball caps, team patches, and small pennants show off favorite teams and hometown pride. After the mission, these items usually come back as special gifts for organizations and fans.
Astronauts also bring organizational patches and pins. Fire departments, police units, and community groups get a nod when their symbols make it to space.
Religious texts and spiritual items bring comfort and guidance during tough missions. Bibles, prayer books, and religious medals often end up in Personal Preference Kits, no matter the astronaut’s faith.
Small crosses, Stars of David, and other religious symbols help astronauts stay connected to their beliefs. These objects are light but packed with meaning.
Inspirational books and poetry also help astronauts keep their spirits up. These materials provide a mental boost when Earth feels impossibly distant.
Personal letters from family and friends play a similar role. Handwritten notes offer comfort and remind astronauts that people back home are rooting for them.
Meditation beads, prayer cards, and small religious art pieces often find their way into space kits. They help astronauts maintain spiritual practices and psychological health in space’s isolation.
Musical instruments have become a popular addition to the ISS. Astronauts bring small instruments, and these usually stay on the station for everyone to use.
Harmonicas are common because they’re small and tough. Guitars, keyboards, and even saxophones have made it to the ISS, building up a sort of orbital band collection.
Thomas Pesquet got an alto saxophone as a surprise gift from his Expedition 50 crewmates for his 39th birthday in 2017. They managed to sneak it aboard and keep it hidden until the big reveal.
Books are essential for mental stimulation during long missions. Astronauts choose novels, technical manuals, and poetry collections for entertainment and to keep their minds sharp.
Popular book categories include:
Reading helps astronauts escape the daily routine. With digital formats, they can carry a bigger library within the tight weight limits.
Space agencies enforce strict 3.3-pound weight limits and size rules of 5″ x 8″ x 2″ for personal kits. Every item has to pass safety standards, and anything hazardous is a no-go.
Astronauts get a personal preference kit that measures exactly 5 inches by 8 inches by 2 inches—about the size of a lunch box. The total weight can’t go over 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms).
That’s way smaller than what airlines allow. Airlines typically let you bring personal items up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches, but space missions require everything to be miniaturized.
The official flight kit has its own weight allocation. Space agencies count every ounce, since launching to orbit can cost more than $10,000 per pound.
Traditional backpacks don’t fit, so astronauts have to compress sentimental things like photos, small books, or religious tokens into that tiny kit.
Weight distribution matters, too. If the load isn’t balanced, it can mess with the spacecraft during maneuvers.
Before anything launches, it goes through intense testing. Materials have to resist fire, avoid off-gassing, and can’t contaminate spacecraft systems.
Space agencies ban items with volatile compounds. That rules out most cosmetics, adhesives, and anything that could release fumes.
Sharp edges aren’t allowed unless they’re padded. Anything that could turn into a projectile in zero gravity gets rejected.
Electronic devices need special certification so they don’t interfere with navigation. Most personal phones and tablets don’t make the cut.
Fabric items must be fire-resistant. Cotton and synthetic blends often need flame-retardant treatments or have to be swapped out for approved alternatives.
Food is especially tricky. Crumbs and spills can damage equipment and clog air filters.
Space agencies keep a long list of banned items that goes way beyond airline rules. Flammable stuff like lighters, matches, and alcohol are completely off-limits.
Weapons can’t go to space, not even small knives or tools that seem harmless. Even scissors or metal nail files are out.
Living things—including plants, insects, or bacteria cultures—aren’t allowed. They could upset the spacecraft’s ecosystem or contaminate experiments.
Medications need pre-approval from flight surgeons. Astronauts can’t just bring their own prescriptions; everything goes through medical review.
Glass containers are too risky because they could break in zero gravity. Plastic alternatives have to pass safety tests before getting approved.
Perishable items don’t make the cut either. Spoilage and contamination risks are too high, so no fresh fruits, veggies, or anything that needs refrigeration.
Personal belongings play a huge role in keeping astronauts mentally healthy and helping crews get along during missions. These carefully chosen items help astronauts deal with isolation, build team spirit, and provide recreational activities in the tight quarters of spacecraft and the ISS.
Personal items act as psychological anchors for astronauts on long missions. Family photos, religious texts, and meaningful mementos help crew members stay emotionally connected to Earth and their support networks.
Astronauts get just 5 inches by 8 inches by 2 inches of space for these items. That small kit turns into a lifeline for mental health support.
Common psychological support items include:
NASA knows these items matter for mission success. Astronauts with strong psychological health perform better and handle the stress of space travel more effectively.
Research shows personal belongings can ease feelings of isolation and homesickness. They bring comfort during tough times and help astronauts process the challenge of being so far from home for months.
Personal items often turn into shared experiences that help crews bond on the ISS. Astronauts bring things from their home countries, which opens the door for cultural exchange and understanding.
Musical instruments are especially good for team bonding. Astronauts bring guitars, harmonicas, or keyboards that stay on the station for everyone to play.
Sharing meals with personal food items from different cultures creates positive social moments. These times are crucial for team spirit during long missions.
Team-building personal items typically include:
Celebration items help crews mark milestones together. Birthday surprises, holiday decorations, and achievement commemorations boost morale and create memories that help crews get through tough stretches.
Personal recreational items matter a lot for stress relief and mental stimulation in space. Astronauts often reach for camera equipment—photography lets them get creative and feel connected to Earth, even when they’re far away.
Books and e-readers become a lifeline during off-hours. Since spacecraft are cramped, reading is one of the rare ways astronauts can find a bit of solitude.
Gaming devices and puzzles help keep minds sharp and offer a break from the daily grind. These distractions really help during the tough stretches of long missions.
Exercise gear goes beyond the station’s standard fitness systems. Astronauts use their own workout items to keep their bodies and minds in shape in microgravity.
Creative supplies let astronauts dive into art for some therapy. Drawing, crafting, and writing give them a way to express themselves and process what’s honestly a wild experience.
Space suits don’t offer much room for personal stuff, so astronauts have to get creative with what they bring. They rely on special backpack units and fireproof materials to keep their mementos safe during missions.
The Portable Life Support System (PLSS) backpack, which astronauts attach to their space suits, opens up a few options for storing personal things. The backpack mainly houses life support equipment, but it also includes tiny compartments for essential items.
Astronauts usually tuck lightweight things like family photos or small medallions into sealed pouches inside the backpack. These pouches shield the items from the suit’s environmental controls.
The backpack can only handle items weighing a few ounces or less. Space agencies test every item in a vacuum before allowing it in the suit.
Weight limits are strict. Nothing can get in the way of oxygen flow or carbon dioxide removal. The backpack’s main job will always beat out personal storage.
Modern suits come with better storage compartments than older models. Astronauts now use magnetic closures and tethers to avoid losing things during spacewalks.
Beta cloth changed the game for storing personal items in suits during the Apollo program. This fireproof fabric made safe pockets that could handle space’s extreme temperatures.
Apollo-era Personal Preference Kits relied on Beta cloth to protect belongings. The flame resistance worked perfectly for paper items, photos, and patches inside pressurized suits.
Beta cloth pockets sit right inside the suit’s layers. They keep pressure intact while holding flat things like mission patches or notes.
The material’s toughness means astronauts can use these pockets across several missions. They can reach their items during suited work without risking the suit’s safety.
Newer suits still use Beta cloth or something similar for storage. Its proven safety keeps it as the top choice for fabric-based pockets in today’s designs.
Astronauts sometimes bring items for ceremonial reasons or to preserve history, not just for personal enjoyment. These objects stand as symbols of achievement and tie space missions back to Earth’s culture.
NASA has a tradition of sending up items meant for awards and recognition. For Apollo 12, astronauts carried four aluminum copies of the mission plaque. NASA gave one to engineer Jack Kinzler, who made them, and the rest went to crew members Pete Conrad, Richard F. Gordon Jr., and Alan Bean.
Frank Borman brought a unique aluminum sphere on Apollo 8. NASA later melted it down to create 200,000 medallions, which they handed out to people who helped with Apollo.
Space Shuttle crews used their Personal Preference Kits and Official Flight Kits to bring patches, country flags, and awards. Honorees would later receive these space-flown items. Personal items had a 3.3-pound weight limit during Shuttle days.
Rhea Seddon, for example, carried a calculator tape signed by students from her hometown on her missions.
Some of the most historically significant items astronauts have taken up were picked for their symbolic value and museum display. Neil Armstrong arranged with the U.S. Air Force Museum to bring wood from the Wright Flyer’s propeller and fabric from its wing on Apollo 11.
Michael Collins brought several flags in his Apollo 11 kit, including ones for the United States, Washington, D.C., and the Air Force.
Stuart Roosa’s Apollo 14 flight stands out for a very unusual project. He carried 400 to 500 seeds from trees like Douglas fir and redwood. The U.S. Forest Service helped, and the resulting “Moon trees” were later planted in the U.S., Japan, Brazil, and Switzerland.
Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon took a copy of Petr Ginz’s Moon Landscape drawing on Columbia’s STS-107 mission. The original artist was murdered at Auschwitz during the Holocaust.
Space travelers have always brought meaningful objects, often building collections that reflect what matters most to them. Wally Schirra packed medals and military keepsakes for Gemini, while Rhea Seddon chose pieces that tied her to her community and education.
Wally Schirra shared the entire contents of his Gemini 6A Personal Preference Kit, giving us a rare look at what early astronauts actually brought. His gray nylon bag measured 6 by 7 inches and held a carefully chosen set of mementos.
He packed his Navy wings to honor his military service. Schirra also tossed in a Florida hunting license—maybe a nod to hobbies back home.
His kit included a pretty impressive stash of commemorative items: 20 gold medals and 5 silver medals went up with him. He also brought various flags that meant something to him.
Schirra added 15 GTA-6 patches for his mission. Once back on Earth, these patches became sought-after space-flown artifacts.
His organized approach to packing set the tone for future astronaut kits. He balanced personal meaning with the idea that these items could become mementos for others.
Rhea Seddon flew three times on the Space Shuttle and picked items that spoke to her education and community. She showed how astronauts use limited space to stay connected to people and places on Earth.
She brought a university pennant to honor where she studied. Her sorority pin represented college life and friendships.
Seddon included a ball cap for her favorite athletic team, showing her support for sports she cared about. Even astronauts keep their personal interests close.
Her most creative item was a long roll of calculator tape covered with signatures from every student in her hometown. Hundreds of kids got to say their signature went to space.
This tape helped Seddon link her mission to her community, especially inspiring young people interested in science or space.
NASA’s Artemis program enforces strict weight limits of just 3.3 pounds per astronaut for personal belongings. Mars missions will push this even further, with longer missions and almost no resupply.
For lunar missions, NASA gives astronauts a personal kit just 5 by 8 by 2 inches. That’s way smaller than any carry-on bag.
Weight is everything. Each astronaut gets exactly 3.3 pounds for their things, matching what’s allowed on the ISS but with higher stakes on the Moon.
NASA’s #NASAMoonKit campaign showed what astronauts like to bring. Musical instruments are surprisingly popular—there’s usually a harmonica or small keyboard floating around the station for whoever wants it.
Digital items have become a big deal for lunar flights. Memory cards with family photos or videos take up almost no space but mean a lot. Astronauts often pick digital over physical keepsakes now.
Spacecraft designers are building storage compartments right into new mission plans. These compartments help protect fragile items from launch and landing bumps.
Mars missions, which could last 26 months, force a whole new approach to personal items. Astronauts need things that help with psychological health over the long haul.
Durability is key for anything headed to Mars. NASA tests materials against Martian dust, temperature swings, and radiation, using info from the Perseverance rover.
Because talking to Earth will have big delays, astronauts will probably carry lots of entertainment content stored locally instead of relying on streaming.
International Mars crews might pack small artifacts from their home countries to keep everyone feeling connected. Crew cohesion becomes more important the longer the mission drags on.
Multi-purpose items are a must. If something can serve more than one use—a musical instrument that doubles as exercise gear, for example—it’s worth its weight for deep space travel.
Astronauts can bring certain personal items as long as they stick to NASA’s strict weight and size rules. These guidelines keep everyone safe and help support mental health on missions.
The Personal Preference Kit comes in at 5 by 8 by 2 inches and can’t weigh more than 3.3 pounds. It’s about the size of a lunch box and holds things that help astronauts feel a little more at home.
Most astronauts bring family photos, wedding rings, or handwritten notes from loved ones. These sentimental items help them stay emotionally grounded.
They often include a small book, a musical instrument, or a portable game for downtime. Religious items—maybe prayer beads or a tiny cross—can offer spiritual comfort.
National flags, university pennants, or sorority pins let astronauts represent their backgrounds. Some even bring a stuffed animal from their kids for a little extra comfort.
Suit techs custom fit every space suit to match an astronaut’s body. They tweak helmet sizes, glove fits, and suit lengths so everything lines up just right.
They adjust padding inside the suit to match pressure points and make it more comfortable. Astronauts work closely with suit technicians to get foam placement and thickness just right.
Communication gear gets personalized for each crew member, too. Suits have unique identification markers and mission patches.
Cooling systems are tuned to each astronaut’s temperature preferences and metabolism. These tweaks keep astronauts performing at their best during spacewalks and emergencies.
If an astronaut needs prescription medications, those definitely top the personal item list. Flight surgeons go through and approve every medication before launch, just to be sure everything’s safe and won’t mess with other systems.
Astronauts who wear glasses or contacts bring contact solution and backup glasses. You never know when you’ll need a spare set—nobody wants to deal with blurry vision up there.
Personal hygiene matters, too. Toothbrushes, razors, and skin care products help keep everyone healthy, but they have to pass strict flammability and safety checks. Spacecraft just aren’t the place for risky items.
Staying in touch with family is huge for mental health, especially on long trips. NASA hands out approved tablets and sets up communication systems so astronauts can connect with loved ones during their downtime.
NASA sets a hard limit—just 3.3 pounds of personal stuff per astronaut. That’s mostly because every ounce counts when you’re launching into orbit, and weight calculations directly affect the mission.
Before anything makes it on board, NASA tests each item for safety. They won’t let anything fly if it’s flammable, sharp, or toxic. Crew safety always comes first.
If you want to bring electronics, you’ll need special permission. NASA worries about interference, so personal smartphones and random gadgets usually stay grounded.
International Space Station missions get a few more rules, especially with crews from different countries. They have to consider cultural differences and how everyone shares the limited living space. Cultural sensitivity really matters when you’re all stuck together for months.
Longer missions mean astronauts can bring a bit more for comfort. If you’re up there for six months, NASA lets you pack a little extra—think small entertainment items or things that remind you of home.
Families sometimes get to send surprise packages when cargo ships arrive. Astronauts open up fresh goodies, letters, or maybe a small gift that’s just right for the season.
For digital keepsakes, NASA boosts storage space for longer trips. Astronauts get more room for photos, music, or whatever helps them unwind.
Mental health experts chat with crews before launch to figure out what comfort items they’ll need. That way, everyone’s got some support when things get tough far from home.
Neil Armstrong took a piece of the Wright Brothers’ first airplane with him to the Moon during Apollo 11. That small act tied together the story of early flight and the huge leap of space travel.
Buzz Aldrin brought communion elements along and even performed a religious ceremony on the lunar surface. It’s a powerful reminder of how personal faith can become part of these massive, public milestones.
Charlie Duke left a photo of his family on the Moon during Apollo 16. That image is still out there, quietly marking the deep connections astronauts carry with them.
Chris Hadfield played his guitar and sang “Space Oddity” from the International Space Station, and the video went viral. Moments like this really show how space exploration can reach people everywhere, sometimes in totally unexpected ways.
