Look: Japanese Astronaut Koichi Wakata plays solo baseball in space, Elon Musk shares video

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata recently shared an out-of-this-world moment aboard the International Space Station (ISS), capturing a fun and unique twist on America's favourite pastime. In a video posted to X earlier this month, Wakata is seen playing a solo baseball game in the weightless space environment. His timing couldn't have been better, as his post coincided with the MLB season opener in Japan, quickly catching the attention of millions— including none other than SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

Wakata, a seasoned astronaut with five space missions under his belt, including his most recent assignment on NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 mission from October 2022 to March 2023, has spent more than 150 days aboard the ISS. His career with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is renowned for his significant contributions to scientific research and space station operations.

In the viral video, Wakata floats effortlessly within the JAXA module of the ISS. Holding a baseball, he pitches the ball with one hand, swings an imaginary bat, and then catches it in one smooth motion, all while drifting through the microgravity environment. He captioned the playful clip: "It's baseball season – the MLB season opener is kicking off in Japan. During Expedition 68, I played a solo game of baseball. In microgravity, you don't need a whole team; you can play all positions!"

 The video quickly gained attraction, spreading across social media and even attracting the attention of high-profile figures in the space and entertainment world. Elon Musk, whose SpaceX program helped facilitate Wakata's recent mission, shared the clip with his followers, boosting its popularity. Retired Canadian astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield also shared the video, commenting, "That's friend Koichi Wakata inside the JAXA module of the International Space Station – Japan plays great baseball!"

 Wakata's lighthearted moment aboard the ISS reminds us that even in the most serious and high-tech environments, astronauts find ways to enjoy moments of levity and creativity, capturing people's imagination back on Earth.