Wan Hu Launches Into Space

Wan Hu Astronaut Early in the sixteenth century, Wan decided to take advantage of China's advanced rocket and fireworks technology to launch himself into outer space. He supposedly had a chair built with forty-seven rockets attached. On the day of lift-off, Wan, splendidly attired, climbed into his rocket chair and forty seven servants lit the fuses and then hastily ran for cover. There was a huge explosion. When the smoke cleared, Wan and the chair were gone and was said never to have been seen again. SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY The crater Wan-Hoo on the far side of the Moon is named after him.

A faux historical account shows Wan Hu sitting in a rocket-powered chair while servants prepare to launch him into space. The story ends with an explosion and his disappearance, followed by the dramatic caption “SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY,” parodying the idea of an early astronaut and the legendary lunar crater named after him. It is sent as an absurd reaction to someone disappearing or attempting something recklessly ambitious.

• @eternalclassic / 41356 2023-11-05