Brad Pitt curious about Chandrayaan-2 moon lander, asks ISS astronaut if he spotted Vikram
The Academy Award nominee actor had a list of questions for NASA astronaut Nick Hague.
By PTI |
Agencies
Brad Pitt (in pic) wanted to know if he was more believable as an astronaut or George Clooney.
LOS ANGELES: When Brad Pitt rang up the International Space Station (ISS), he had a list of questions for NASA astronaut Nick Hague that ranged from India's Chandrayaan-2 Moon mission, life in zero gravity conditions and most importantly, if he had bested George Clooney as a cosmonaut.
The ISS crew previewed the actor's space drama, "Ad Astra," which has garnered one of the best reviews of his career and is generating Oscar buzz, along with his other screen outing "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood".
"Station, this is Brad, how do you hear me?" the actor asked upon receiving confirmation from NASA for a voice check and in the 20-minute call, carried by NASA TV on Monday, he covered a lot of topics on space exploration.
To which Hague replied, "Hey Brad, this is Nick. I've got you loud and clear. Welcome to the International Space Station."
Pitt continued the conversation with a question on India's Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram, as part of the country's moon mission. The ISRO was unsuccessful in its attempt to land the Vikram module on the Moon's uncharted south pole."I got to go to JPL last week and it was on the day when India was landing on the moon and the United States were assisting them in that effort. Could you see that from where you are?" the Academy Award nominee asked.
"No, unfortunately, I along with the rest of the crew had to follow along with the news reports," Hague replied.
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The US astronaut reflected on the importance of international cooperation in space missions like these.
"Things that should be easy, when you try to do them in space they just get harder. The things that we try to do everyday,the team on the ground, NASA and its international partners do a great job of making really hard almost impossible things look routine. It's one of those you can get some complacency. The things that we were able to achieve together is something special," he said.
"For me that the biggest thing that I have pulled from this mission the idea of cooperation at a global scale is what is going to propel humanity into the future," he added.
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Pitt later asked Hague a question in a lighter vein: who was more believable in the role of an astronaut, he or fellow actor and close friend George Clooney.
Clooney starred in the 2013 space film "Gravity".
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Hague responded with laughter and said, "You were. Absolutely."
Chandrayaan-2 Lander, Scientists & Business Veterans: A Round-Up Of India's Famous Vikrams
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Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram may have been the name on everyone’s lips recently, but here are a host of other famous Vikrams. Read on.
Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram may have been the name on everyone’s lips recently, but here are a host of other famous Vikrams. Read on.
Some consider King Vikramaditya a part of history, some think he was just a legend. Vikramaditya ruled over parts of India in the 1st century BCE, and popular culture credits him with starting the Vikrama Samvat era in 57 BCE. He is featured in hundreds of traditional Indian legends, including the popular Vikram and Betaal, which is based on Baital Pachisi. In the collection of short stories, originally written in Sanskrit, King Vikramaditya promises a sorcerer that he will capture a celestial spirit, Betaal. The spirit tricks the king into answering his riddles before flying away. The spirit agrees to captivity only after finally stumping Vikramaditya with the 25th riddle.
Some consider King Vikramaditya a part of history, some think he was just a legend. Vikramaditya ruled over parts of India in the 1st century BCE, and popular culture credits him with starting the Vi..
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Regarded as one of the most influential writers of modern times, poet and novelist Vikram Seth is the recipient of the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award, among other honours. Born in Calcutta to Prem Nath Seth, an executive with a footwear company, and Leila Seth, the first woman chief justice of a state High Court in India, Seth pursued higher studies at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Stanford University and Nanjing University. His A Suitable Boy is said to be one of the longest English novels. Seth was one of the leading voices in the fight against Section 377 of the IPC.
Regarded as one of the most influential writers of modern times, poet and novelist Vikram Seth is the recipient of the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award, among other honours. Born in Calcutta to P..
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Vikram Sarabhai was an Indian scientist, physicist and astronomer. Called the father of the Indian space programme, Sarabhai was the founder of the Physical Research laboratory in 1947 and was instrumental in the establishment of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. Other notable institutions he is credited with establishing include the Indian Institution of Management Ahmedabad and Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and posthumously received the Padma Vibhushan in 1972.
Vikram Sarabhai was an Indian scientist, physicist and astronomer. Called the father of the Indian space programme, Sarabhai was the founder of the Physical Research laboratory in 1947 and was instru..
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Captain Vikram Batra was a member of the Indian Army, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He died fighting Pakistani forces during the Kargil war in 1999 at the age of 24. Also known as Sher Shah, Captain Batra recaptured Peak 5140, located at an altitude of 17,000 ft, and Peak 4875.
Captain Vikram Batra was a member of the Indian Army, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He died fighting Pakistani forces during the Kargil war in 1999 at the age of 24. Also known a..
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Vikram Pandit is the current chairman and CEO of The Orogen Group, a financial services company based in New York. He was the CEO of Citigroup from 2007 to 2012 and was the one who had steered the bank out of a financial catastrophe. While Pandit said the decision to leave was his own, according to some news reports, his departure was said to be the consequence of months of tension over a range of issues. Pandit was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008.
Vikram Pandit is the current chairman and CEO of The Orogen Group, a financial services company based in New York. He was the CEO of Citigroup from 2007 to 2012 and was the one who had steered the ba..
