Skip to main content

Astronauts can enjoy the Super Bowl too

International Space Station
Image used with permission by copyright holder
In America, we take care of our astronauts. So when our astronauts want to watch America’s game, they get to watch America’s game. Tonight, over 100 million viewers are expected to tune in to watch the action between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, and among that enormous audience will be members of the International Space Station crew. In fact, the entire ISS presence will be granted free time during the game so they can fully enjoy all the action, and to be honest, a Super Bowl party in space sounds like the best kind of party.

In an email interview with Space.com, NASA spokesman Dan Huot explained, “Crew will be able to watch in real time; it will be sent up as usual for live events from Mission Control Houston. It’s a nominal off-duty Sunday for the entire crew, so no additional tasks for them aside from exercise.”

Recommended Videos

Happily, this is by no means the only form of entertainment astronauts have indulged in — last year, the team tuned in to Super Bowl 49, and they also watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens when it was first released. And their viewing experience is every bit as high-tech as you’d expect it to be. With their high definition projector and 65-inch screen, they may even have a better time watching movies and TV than some of us here on Earth.

Outside of cinema, astronauts are also invited to keep themselves entertained with a myriad of other activities. From books to musical instruments to photography, ISS astronauts maintain a number of enviable hobbies. And of course, they can use social media, send emails, and otherwise communicate with us terrestrial beings.

So get ready for the game tonight, earthbound friends. Our astronauts floating miles above the Earth are prepared, so you’ve no excuse not to be.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Watch how space station astronauts get ready for bed
watch how space station astronauts get ready for bed iss astronaut sleep prep

European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer has shared a video showing how he prepares for a night’s sleep aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

As you might expect, the routine is much like it is on Earth -- except for all of the floating around and other challenges caused by the microgravity conditions.

Read more
Axiom-1 to depart from ISS today after extra days in space
The SpaceX Dragon Endeavour crew ship is pictured docked to the Harmony module's space-facing international docking adapter.

Update Sunday April 24: The departure of the Axiom-1 mission from the International Space Station has been delayed by one more day due to continuing bad weather. The mission is now scheduled to depart today, Sunday, April 24 at 8:55 p.m. ET.

Four crew members of the first fully private space tourism mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom-1, are set to head home today. The space tourists have gotten several extra days on the ISS for their money, with their departure from the space station being delayed due to bad weather. There have been poor weather conditions in the splashdown zone off the Florida coast, so the departure of the mission was pushed back several times until the weather cleared.

Read more
Check out this cool NASA image of SpaceX Crew-3’s ride home
A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked at the ISS.

A stunning image shared by NASA shows the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS) just a few days before it brings home the Crew-3 astronauts.

Crew Dragon Endurance docked at the International Space Station about 250 miles above Earth. NASA

Read more