JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide was carried into space by the Space Shuttle Discovery on May 31, 2008 (June 1, JT). Hoshide, who played rugby at university, brought a rugby ball into the shuttle. He had said before the launch that he wanted to pass a rugby ball in space, a feat he achieved during his free time. He successfully returned to the earth with the ball on June 14th, (June 15, JT).
Akihiko Hoshide, astronaut
(December 28, 1968~ )
He has been deeply involved in rugby since high school, where he experienced midwinter training as well as regular classes, and at university, where he belonged to the RFC.
Rugby balls that usually travel parabolically when kicked or thrown though the air move in a totally different way under the zero gravity conditions of earth's orbit.
Hoshide commented later that he threw the ball higher than he intended to.