Those tuning in to Ax-1’s live launch broadcast Friday likely noticed an unexpected guest in the cabin –– a small plush toy that appeared to float mid-air as the crew reached microgravity. The stowaway was Caramel the Dog, the mascot of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Caramel served an important role as the mission’s zero-gravity indicator. Zero-gravity indicators are small items, often stuffed toys, chosen by space crews to provide a clear visual indication that they have reached microgravity.
The Ax-1 crew selected Caramel as their indicator in part because of the mission’s connection to Montreal Children’s Hospital. The Ax-1 crew includes Mission Specialist Canadian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Mark Pathy, whose research on the space station will include several projects led by the clinician-researchers at Montreal Children’s Hospital and Child Health Research at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Investigations include research into chronic pain and sleep disturbances during space travel, which are likely to have real world impact.
Pathy will also have a live conversation from space with children at the hospital.