Astronauts from multiple countries aboard the International Space Station recorded a message for the earthbound teams kicking off the World Cup in Brazil Thursday, and even engaged in a little zero-G scrimmage of their own.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 40 Commander Steve Swanson, Alex Gerst of Germany and Greg Wiseman of the U.S. appear in the video. The station’s crew also includes astronauts from the European and Russian space agencies — all of whom have home teams playing in Brazil.
“We want to wish all the teams and the fans on the ground a great World Cup,” Gerst said as the astronauts kicked around a floating soccer ball. “Have fun and a peaceful games. May the best win.”
“Have fun, play hard, and we’ll be watching on the International Space Station,” Wiseman said.
Mission control will be recording and beaming Thursday’s game 230 miles above the Earth to the crew, along with any other games they want to watch.
WATCH:
NASA also released an image illustrating how the ISS compares in size to a soccer field — because, space.
