Expedition 22 pays tribute to the “Rat Pack”

As we explained in a previous blog, human space flight crew members pose for posters that illustrate their mission in a graphic style that is much more laid-back than NASA’s usual (very serious) technical documents. The purpose is to create a link between the astronauts and the ground staff, whether they work for the American agency or its subcontractors.

Expedition 22 is nicknamed the "Right Pack" in tribute to the "Rat Pack" from the 1960’s. The astronauts are posing in exactly the same way as in this photograph.
Credit: NASA/Spaceflight Awareness

Brilliant artwork, references to cinema films, allusions and humour are all brought to the fore. The poster for Expedition 22, currently aboard the Station, chose to pay tribute to the “Rat Pack”. In the 1960’s, this improvised fraternity united the giants of American show business with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. Posterity has above all retained the first 3 on the list, great singers and actors who knew the honour and glamour of Hollywood celebrities at that time. The reputation of the Rat Pack was such that its members could fill any concert room in Las Vegas at the drop of a hat. And by refusing to perform in hotels and casinos that did not employ Afro-American artists, they also contributed to the combat against segregation!
The Rat Pack originally numbered 5 members, and Expedition 22 totals 5 astronauts. From there, the allusion to the famous quintet followed almost naturally. Making a play on words, they called themselves The Right Pack which phonetically speaking is very close to The Rat Pack. You will notice how the design of the text at the bottom resembles the luminous signs that announce the shows in Las Vegas’ casinos, thus giving weight to the allusion. There is no doubt that the Rat Pack of the 1960’s would have proclaimed: That’s entertainment!

More recent crew posters in this portfolio

Enjoy Space article on crew posters

The Rat Pack on Wikipedia

Expedition 22 (NASA)

Published on 26 January 2010

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