Objects of Importance
Personal Preference Kits
If you were going into space, what would you take with you? Astronauts are permitted one small bag for personal or small items of significance they wished to carry into space- this is called the Personal Preference Kit (PPK). They may pack up to 20 separate items in their PPK as long as they fit- the bag is approximately 5” x 8” x 2”. To Explore the contents of Michael Collins' Personal Preference Kit for Apollo 11, click on the bag image to the left.
After Apollo 11, astronauts continued to take up personal items in Personal Preference Kits, however psychological support teams also send crew care packages that contain other materials. Explore the two questions below by clicking on the pictures to learn more about items sent for astronaut use in space.
Do astronauts listen to music or read books in space?
Do female astronauts wear makeup?
Do astronauts still play sports in Space?
Yes! Watch the video above to watch Apollo 14 astronaut, Alan Shepherd. What sport did he play in space? On February 6, 1971 he became the first to hit a golf ball on the Moon, using a golf club like the one shown to the left.
What did the SpaceX Astronauts take with them?
Look at the picture to the left. What do you see? The manned spacecraft launched from Florida in May 2020 was called the SpaceX Crew Dragon, so why do you think these astronauts chose to bring this item into space with them?