The sentimental ones want to bring a piece of Earth with them as keepsake. Teo Wei Jie, a final-year electrical and electronic engineering student takes it quite literally – the meaningful thing that will fill the void in his heart is a rock from Bukit Batok. Nothing like a memory of Earth than an au naturel piece of it, he says. My sediments exactly.

For the foodies, there’s nothing like comfort food to keep them company in space. Yes, I’m talking about the ones who have guzzled instant noodles in lectures. Third-year communication student Yang Sheng Xiong plans to pack his favourite Krispy Kreme doughnuts and milkshakes, and make a business out of it in outer space. He even has a name for his new milkshake. No prizes for guessing what he’s naming it – “Milky Way”.

Third-year sociology student Foo Min Sheng prefers a different kind of creature comfort – he wants to bring his warm blanket, which will surely come in handy, since it is -273°C in space. For Zester Tay, a second-year business student, it would be his baby panda soft toy that he’d be clutching into weightlessness. Kudos to Zester – a real man is not afraid to admit that he has a soft side.

The pragmatic ones know that people are the best investment, and strategise who to pick as their space buddy. The business students know this best, especially during group projects. Third-year communication student Shanna Ng will have her grandmother by her side. She is confident her grammie, equipped with post-World War II experience, will be able to help her tide through post-pandemic living. The zero gravity may also prove to be very beneficial for her joints.