While we still can’t get enough of the Artemis II crew’s record-breaking journey to the Moon, an astronaut who flew on an earlier mission has proven that you can roll a D20 in space — despite the zero gravity.
Rabea Rogge, the first German woman to go into space, joined SpaceX’s Fram2 mission in 2025. The three-day mission sought to conduct research about Earth’s North and South poles, but while she was up there in zero-G, Rogge “experimented” on how best to play Dungeons & Dragons while suspended in space, and without gravity to help indicate which number you roll.
“As a pen [and] paper nerd, I experimented with this 20-sided glass die (that caught the light beautifully) and found that the next round of D&D or similar in space is saved,” she explained in the description of an Instagram reel.
In the video, Rogge says: “We experimented a little, and I think the best way is, you throw it, and then you catch it, and then you kinda look…” She then holds her hand up to the camera, with her thumb slightly pulled back so you can see the number 7. “So, rejoice!” she added. “Roleplaying in space is absolutely possible.”
“We always said our dice were out of this world… but you absolutely proved it,” wrote dice manufacturer, World of Dice. “Seeing one of our dice floating in space is something we never imagined, and it honestly made our whole team freak out. Our founder even teared up when he saw it — real tears of joy. Watching something that started as a small idea end up orbiting Earth was a truly surreal moment for all of us.
“Thank you for taking World of Dice beyond the table, beyond the atmosphere, and straight into the cosmos. Safe travels, and may all your missions be critical successes.”
The official Dungeons & Dragons account also commented, adding: “New rule – anything you roll in space is a critical success.”
Of course, keeping all the various objects you need for a proper game of D&D might be tricky in zero gravity! “Thank you all for the love for space dice and suggestions,” Rogge added. “Next time there should be magnets I see!
“For the peeps that don’t know me, my name is Rabea and this footage is from the #Fram2 mission one year ago. We were the first human space mission around Earth’s polar regions. I always say that our astronaut training was very similar to a good ol’ round of D&D: You get a scenario (in a training spacecraft) and need to handle whatever the training lead (aka DM) throws at you. On to more adventures on Earth & in space!”
There’s a lot going on in the world of space travel right now. With Project Hail Mary’s blockbuster success shining a light on the cosmos, the Artemis II crew is heading home after travelling farther from Earth than anyone before, with a splashdown back on Earth scheduled for April 10.
We already knew the Artemis II crew watched Project Hail Mary before their mission, and earlier this week, we received another wonderful callback to the novel/film as Mission Control responded to Commander Reid Wiseman’s description of the Moon by quoting Rocky and saying, “Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!” during their lunar flyby. Meanwhile, Artemis II has prompted a surge of new and returning players to space simulator Kerbal Space Program.
Image credit: Rabea Rogge / Instagram.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
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