NASA astronaut pays sweet tribute to Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew from space

Star Wars fans from the earth and beyond are pouring their hearts out at the demise actor Peter Mayhew aka Chewbacca. Paying tribute to pounds of fur, Chewbacca, NASA astronaut Nick Hague on the International Space Station honoured the late actor all the way up in Earth orbit. Bidding farewell to the actor who passed away this April 30, the astronaut tweeted a sweet photo tribute that read,  "Honoring Peter Mayhew (also known as Chewbacca) up here on Space Station," Hague wrote in his tweet  (May 8). "Thank you Peter for inspiring generations of explorers."

Honoring Peter Mayhew (also known as Chewbacca) up here on @Space_Station. Thank you Peter for inspiring generations of explorers. pic.twitter.com/YJTZrxVwCm

— Nick Hague (@AstroHague) May 8, 2019

Hague added a photo printout of Mayhew in his Chewbacca garb that had his head uncovered, floating in the space station's Cupola against a brilliant blue Earth backdrop.

Peter Mayhew, the lovable Wookiee who appeared in five different films in the saga died last week at age 74.  A memorial service for friends and family will be held on June 29 while a memorial for fans will be held this early December at EmpireCon in Los Angeles.

Mayhew is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children.