NASA astronaut at ISS gets special gift from Elon Musk, the reason will make you smile

Astronaut Megan McArthur celebrated her 50th birthday aboard the ISS and also had a surprise in store for her

As NASA astronaut Megan McArthur celebrated her 50th birthday aboard the International Space Station (ISS) she was in for a major surprise. A birthday at the ISS is no dull affair but to receive birthday gifts on a special 'spaceship' is definitely an 'out of this world' feeling.

The SpaceX's latest cargo delivery, a 23rd one made by Elon Musk's firm docked at 10:30 EDT (15:30 BST) on Monday with ice cream and other goodies. The astronaut, celebrating her 50th birthday, cheekily said 'no one's ever sent me a spaceship for my birthday before.'

Sharing the details of her 'party' on Twitter, McArthur wrote: "What a great birthday dinner with my Expedition 65 crew mates. My #SpaceBrothers went all out: quesadillas and tortilla-pizzas with real cheese! Cookie decorating! Cake with chocolate “candles”! We haven’t unpacked the ice cream yet, so I guess that means a 2nd party?"

'I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of good wishes from family, friends, and space fans around the world. I might be 50 but I still feel like one lucky girl,' the astronaut said.

What a great birthday dinner with my Expedition 65 crew mates! My #SpaceBrothers went all out: quesadillas and tortilla-pizzas with real cheese! Cookie decorating! Cake with chocolate “candles”! We haven’t unpacked the ice cream yet, so I guess that means a 2nd party? ?????? pic.twitter.com/h0D85fz6ei

— Megan McArthur (@Astro_Megan) August 30, 2021

Launched Sunday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the SpaceX's capsule took lemons, cherry tomatoes, avocados and ice cream for McArthur and her six crewmates, along with a couple tons of research and other gear.

McArthur is one of seven astronauts currently living on ISS, arriving at the Station in April as part of Expedition 65. A veteran of space travel, she is known as the last person to be hands on with the Hubble Space Telescope via the Canadarm connected to the Space Shuttle.