A video has been released showing astronauts at the International Space Station entertaining themselves by juggling oranges in zero gravity. The footage, posted online by the Russian governments cosmonautics, science and technology TV channel, features three crew members on board the ISS practising their circus skills whilst weightless.
They start off by juggling oranges, before moving on to other fruit, including apples. Later on, another crew members starts juggling first aid kits.
The video comes after psychologists from the Yuri Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Center recommended relaxation training such as juggling as a way of combating fatigue in space. While on board the ISS, astronauts are living, working, and sleeping in the same small space around the clock – challenges that can bring additional stress to crew members.
Since being posted online on 5 October the video has gone viral, racking up more than 20,000 views on YouTube.
