I found this drawing at an imaginary estate sale in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. This is a drawing of Russian Astronaut Jacoby Denisovich.

In the early 1970's the Soviet Union launched a secret space shuttle (Utkanos) into space. The mission was to try out various children's games in zero gravity to see if they were more fun, less fun , or the same amount of fun as when performed on Earth.

Hula hooping, yoyoing and jump rope proved to be "Much more fun" while multiple attempts at playing Jacks and Twister proved unsuccessful and nearly resulted in the death of Mr. Denisovich.

This was the first and only Russian mission to employ an on-board illustrator who captured the tests in ink and watercolor. Illustrator Zlatina Velasko defected to the United States shortly after returning from space. This illustration was the only one that she was able to smuggle out, the rest remain stored in the Kremlin's top secret "vault of illustrations and children's drawings".

Someday I hope that the information is released and scientists around the world can better understand the varied fun-ness of playing different children's games while floating high above the Earth.

What game would you like to play in space?

Upon returning