I spent the better part of yesterday absorbed in NASA’s live stream of the Artemis II mission as they flew around the back of the Moon and entered the return trajectory to Earth. The day was full of inspiring moments, the absolute best of the human spirit and it made me feel hopeful in a way I haven’t for a while now.
During the stream, there were several moments where the scientific reporters involved talked about various aspects of being an astronaut and being on mission. One of those is that each astronaut is allowed a personal preference kit (PPK). The size has varied a bit over the years, but the current size of the PPK is a rectangular box measuring approximately 5 inches by 8 inches by 2 inches (12.7 cm × 20.3 cm × 5.1 cm).
So here’s the question. If you were on a mission to space, what would you put in your PPK? Here are my answers.
- I’d want to bring a fountain pen, but I don’t know how well those would work in space, without gravity. So maybe I should bring a Fisher Space Pen?
- My selection for a notebook is gonna be pretty predictable too. While I’m tempted to bring a journal with more pages for all my amazing thoughts about the experience, I might need to bring one of my cherished Field Notes Lunacy notebooks with me, right?
- Something crafty. That box is SMALL. Yarn is squishy, but what do I bring for days away in space? I’m thinking a good pair of socks (one skein of sock yarn, and 5 double pointed needles – though heaven help me if I let go of one and it floats away!) What yarn? Maybe Deep Dyed Yarns Dark Side of the Moon?
So what would be in your PPK?
ohhhhhhh, that YARN!
I expect that the Space Pen is the wisest choice, and that a fountain pen would basically leak all over the place.
Oh, and the Lunacy notebook would be perfect!
I would take one of my pens and also one of my pocket knives. Probably some religious artifact, too. I wouldn’t need to use them in space but they will be a forever memory and memento for my children and grandchildren and future descendants.