Brad Pitt stopped by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California earlier this month.
And on Thursday images were released to the public of the 55-year-old actor learning more about NASA’s InSight lander. The Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport mission is a robotic lander designed to study the deep interior of the planet Mars.
The ex of Angelina Jolie – who is promoting his space film Ad Astra – was playing with an InSight replica used for test purposes.
Scientist at heart? Brad Pitt stopped by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California earlier this month
Brainy stuff: And on Thursday images were released to the public of the 55-year-old actor learning more about NASA’s InSight lander
A handout photo made available by NASA shows an image taken by the engineering model of NASA’s InSight lander replica.
The image of the star was taken by the instrument deployment camera on the replica’s robotic arm.
They were in the Mars-like environment of JPL’s In-Situ Instrument Laboratory.
Testing 1,2,3: The Hollywood vet – who is promoting his space film Ad Astra – was playing with an InSight replica used for test purposes
The picture has been white-balanced to remove the orange-red tint of the Mars lights in the room.
Pitt visited JPL to learn about real space technology after filming his space-themed movie Ad Astra.
These photos are surfacing just after the Troy star stopped by NASA in Washington, DC on Monday.
Now with the lab coat off: Here he is seen in a black top, slacks and cap while with a scientist
During his visit, he took the time for fun as he asked a real-life astronaut currently in orbit who was more believable: him as Roy McBride in Ad Astra or his close friend George Clooney as Matt Kowalsky in 2013’s Gravity.
Brad seemed to get a thrill out of asking the question as he wore a newsboy cap and black jacket over a white T-shirt.
‘I need to call on your expertise. Who was more believable, Clooney or Pitt?’ asked the Hollywood vet.
NASA astronaut Nick Hague replied without hesitation: ‘You were. Absolutely.’
Brad seemed to like that as he gave a chuckle.
The actor called into the International Space Station — which orbits more than 200 miles above Earth — where he chatted with Hague about the difficulties of his 200-day mission.
Fun gig: Pitt got the opportunity to chat with a real astronaut while visiting NASA headquarters on Monday in Washington, D.C.
Competitive: During his visit, the ex-husband of Angelina Jolie took the time for fun as he asked a real-life astronaut currently in orbit who was more believable: him as Roy McBride in Ad Astra or his close friend George Clooney as Matt Kowalsky in 2013’s Gravity
They loved the movie: Here Clooney and Bullock are seen in Venice at the Hotel Cipriani in 2013; the film was a massive hit
Brad reportedly ‘asked multiple questions that centered around how astronauts keep their body clocks consistent’ during his stop at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
He was also curious about ‘the makeup of living quarters on the International Space Station, the psychological aspects of being isolated from humanity in outer space, and what repercussions the body experiences from being in a zero-g environment for an extended period of time.’
In Pitt’s latest film, he portrays astronaut McBride on a mission to uncover truths about the solar system and his missing father after his failed expedition nearly 30 years ago.
Thriller: In Pitt’s latest film, he portrays astronaut Roy McBride on a mission to uncover truths about the solar system and his missing father after his failed expedition nearly 30 years ago
Gravity: The 55-year-old actor called into the International Space Station — which orbits more than 200 miles above Earth — where he chatted with astronaut Nick Hague about the difficulties of his 200-day mission
So many questions: He was also curious about ‘the makeup of living quarters on the International Space Station and the psychological aspects of being isolated from humanity in outer space’
Pilot: NASA astronaut Nick Hague seemed to enjoy talking to Brad
‘Station, this is Brad, how do you hear me?’ the actor asked.
‘Hey Brad, this is Nick. I’ve got you loud and clear. Welcome to the International Space Station,’ Hague said.
Despite his new role, Brad recently admitted that commercial space travel wouldn’t be his forte.
Asked if he has had any desire to go into space for real, he said: ‘Nope. Not-existent whatsoever. Maybe when I was younger but it’s completely inhospitable, uncomfortable and I don’t see it happening.
‘Ad Astra is good enough for me.’
And Brad – who raises six children with former wife Jolie – never dreamed of being an astronaut when he was younger.
Asked by Absolute Radio’s Dave Berry what he wanted to grow up to be when he was a child, he said: ‘Not an astronaut. Space travel is just banal. I don’t know, I wanted to build things, homes. [Carpentry?] Yeah a little bit.’