"I’ll clean the toilet;" Tom Hanks Expresses His Passion for Space Exploration and Lunar Missions

Hollywood icon Tom Hanks, renowned for his voice acting as Woody in Pixar's Toy Story, has disclosed his profound fascination with space and his eagerness to participate in lunar exploration. In an  interview with The Telegraph, Hanks revealed his dream of becoming the onboard "cleaner" on a rocket if it allowed him the chance to journey "to infinity and beyond."

"I would like to be the guy in charge of serving food and making jokes to and from the moon," Hanks passionately expressed. "If there was room, I would be the guy that cleans up, makes jokes, tells stories, and keeps everybody entertained. I’m your man. I would probably sign up right now! That might be a good idea, I’ll do all the work. I’ll clean the toilet. I’ll serve the food. I’ll fold clothes. I’ll stow the gear. That way the others could be free to do other stuff."

Tom Hanks, known  for his role as astronaut Jim Lovell in "Apollo 13," is currently co-writing and narrating a groundbreaking project dedicated to lunar exploration titled "The Moonwalkers." Scheduled to open on December 6 at Lightroom in London, this immersive exhibition will chronicle NASA's moon missions, both historical Apollo missions and the upcoming Artemis program. Hanks described the exhibition as "truly the most immersive medium I’ve ever witnessed," highlighting the unique potential offered by the massive volume of Lightroom.

Hanks drew inspiration from the current David Hockney exhibition at Lightroom, which inspired thoughts of walking on the moon. "The Moonwalkers" project will also incorporate "time machine" images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, coupled with insights gained from Hanks' interactions with various astronauts.

Artemis II, slated for launch in November next year, will retrace the footsteps of Jim Lovell and the Apollo 8 mission. Hanks is scheduled to meet the four-member Artemis II crew in the coming weeks, underscoring the historical significance of this mission, as it marks only the tenth time that humans will have ventured to the moon.

Throughout his involvement in space-themed projects, Hanks has encountered numerous NASA pioneers. However, when he reached out to the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, for insights, he received "a very polite no." Armstrong expressed that there was little left to say about the moon, but he wished Hanks the best in his endeavors.

Hanks commended the Artemis mission for its gender diversity, highlighting that it is "about time" as no woman has yet journeyed to the moon. He emphasized the importance of sending the "absolute best people" on the Artemis mission, noting that it signifies remarkable progress for humankind.

Tickets for "The Moonwalkers" exhibition will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore the captivating realm of lunar exploration.