‘Space dads’ Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken made prank calls in SpaceX’s Dragon capsule

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken spent an hour waiting inside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Capsule after splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico and to pass the time, the ‘space dads’ made a few prank calls.

Hurely revealed the mischievous endeavor during a press conference, saying the roller-coaster like trip home was ‘a lot to process’ and joked they were ‘making prank satellite phone calls’ – and suggested SpaceX CEO Elon Musk foot the bill for the calls.

Hurley and Behnken made their historic water landing at 2:48pm ET inside SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule – the first time this has been attempted in 45 years.

Scroll down for video 

Hurely revealed the mischievous endeavor during a press conference, saying the roller-coaster like trip home was ‘a lot to process’ and joked they were ‘making prank satellite phone calls’ using a satellite phone – and suggested SpaceX CEO Elon Musk foot the bill for the calls

‘Five hours ago, we were in a spaceship, bobbing around, making prank satellite phone calls to whoever we could get a hold of. Which was kind of fun, by the way,’ Hurley said during a welcome-home ceremony in Houston, where NASA’s astronaut corps is based.

Although the team did not elaborate on who they phoned while trapped in the capsule, NASA flight director Anthony Vareha shared he was pranked.

‘I received one of these calls at the flight director console. It started with an opening line like ‘Hi, it’s Doug and Bob, and we’re in the ocean.’ I think my response was, ‘Yeah, I can see that,’ he wrote in a tweet.

Behnken’s wife, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, also received a call from the newly returned Crew Dragon.

Although the team did not elaborate on who they phoned while trapped in the capsule, NASA flight director Anthony Vareha shared he was pranked

Although the team did not elaborate on who they phoned while trapped in the capsule, NASA flight director Anthony Vareha shared he was pranked

Varhea shared part of the conversation on his Twitter account

Varhea shared part of the conversation on his Twitter account

Hurley and Behnken made their historic water landing at 2:48pm ET inside SpaceX's Dragon Capsule – the first time this has been attempted in 45 years

Hurley and Behnken made their historic water landing at 2:48pm ET inside SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule – the first time this has been attempted in 45 years

On my phone it said ‘Spam Risk.’ Glad I answered anyway!’ McArthur tweeted yesterday.

Hurley and Behnken made their historic water landing at 2:48pm ET inside SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule – the first time this has been attempted in 45 years 

Although Hurley and Behnken joked when they landed back on Earth, the team took the mission very seriously. 

Behnken's wife, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, also received a call from the newly returned Crew Dragon

Behnken’s wife, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, also received a call from the newly returned Crew Dragon

The first launched from Cape Canaveral on May 30, which marked the first time NASA has sent astronauts to the International Space station aboard an American rocket from US soil in nine years.

The ride home in the capsule dubbed Endeavour was fast, bumpy and hot, at least on the outside.

The spacecraft went from a screaming orbital speed of 17,500 mph to 350 mph during atmospheric reentry, and finally to 15 mph at splashdown. 

The ride home in the capsule dubbed Endeavour was fast, bumpy and hot, at least on the outside. The spacecraft went from a screaming orbital speed of 17,500 mph to 350 mph during atmospheric reentry, and finally to 15 mph at splashdown

The ride home in the capsule dubbed Endeavour was fast, bumpy and hot, at least on the outside. The spacecraft went from a screaming orbital speed of 17,500 mph to 350 mph during atmospheric reentry, and finally to 15 mph at splashdown 

Within a half-hour of splashdown, the scorched and blistered 15-foot capsule was on board a SpaceX recovery ship with a staff of more than 40, including doctors and nurses

Within a half-hour of splashdown, the scorched and blistered 15-foot capsule was on board a SpaceX recovery ship with a staff of more than 40, including doctors and nurses

Peak heating during descent was 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

‘Welcome back to planet Earth and thanks for flying SpaceX,’ Mission Control from SpaceX headquarters said, welcoming Hurley and Behnken back following the splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

A visibly excited SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the mission heralded a new era.

‘We’re going to go to the Moon, we’re going to have a base on the Moon; we’re going to Mars,’ he said.

‘I’m not very religious but I prayed for this one.’

Within a half-hour of splashdown, the scorched and blistered 15-foot capsule was on board a SpaceX recovery ship with a staff of more than 40, including doctors and nurses.

To keep the returning astronauts safe during the pandemic, the recovery crew quarantined for two weeks and were tested for the coronavirus.

A visibly excited SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the mission heralded a new era. 'We're going to go to the Moon, we're going to have a base on the Moon; we're going to Mars,' he said. 'I'm not very religious but I prayed for this one'

A visibly excited SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the mission heralded a new era. ‘We’re going to go to the Moon, we’re going to have a base on the Moon; we’re going to Mars,’ he said. ‘I’m not very religious but I prayed for this one’

The opening of the hatch was held up briefly by extra checks for toxic rocket fumes outside the capsule. After medical exams, the astronauts were expected to fly to Houston for a reunion with their wives and sons.

Hurley offered final thanks just before he exited the capsule. ‘Anybody who’s touched Endeavour, you should take a moment to just cherish the day, especially given all the things that have happened this year.’

Hurley and Behnken spent a total of 63 days on the ISS in Earth orbit, participating in research and space walks on the massive station.