blank space geographic expedition requires technical expertise , heedful planning , and trial run after test after trial run . But it can be grueling to discount the function of fortune in missionary post where so much can go amiss . In the US and Russian distance programs , many rite are attached to missions , perhaps to append a little good portion to their scientific discipline .
Tanya Lewis atWired Sciencehas collected a routine of these quad - related rituals from the US and Russian place programs . She notes , for example , that monkey nut must be present at every Jet Propulsion Laboratory launch and landing , a tradition that began after the first six Ranger mission failed and someone bring a jarful of goober pea to the 7th , successful mission .
Some of the rituals Lewis cites are just that , rituals and traditions , and some of them stem from non - space pilot traditions . Others , however , are more superstitious , like card games American astronauts flirt prior to launch :
Before a launch , the commander must play cards ( supposedly either Blackjack or 5 - card poker ) with the tech bunch until he loses a bridge player . The custom ’s origins are a mystery story , but it may have begin during the two - man Gemini mission .
On Flickr , the photo from NASA HQ at the topincludes a blurb explaining that this is done because “ the commander must use up all his or her bad fortune before launch . ”
The Russian tradition focus more heavily on in force luck charm , as well as compensate respect to those who have gone into space before :
Before leaving the Star City breeding complex near Moscow , Soyuz flight of stairs crews go away cherry-red gillyflower at the Memorial Wall in memory of first man in blank , Yuri Gagarin , and four other spaceman . They visit Gagarin ’s office , ratify his guestbook , and purportedly postulate his wraith for permission to fly .
Wired Sciencehas a nice listing of these tradition , so you ’ll know what to exhaust and what to wear when heading off to space or working on a launch .
Peanuts , Blackjack and Pee : Strangest Space Mission Superstitions[Wired Science viaNeatorama ]
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