Sax in space: French astronaut delighted with birthday gift

The saxophone arrived in a SpaceX cargo ship on February 23, and his crewmates kept it hidden until his 39th birthday on February 27.

This is one cosmically cool sax — and saxophone player.

This image posted by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet on Twitter on March 12, 2017, shows him with a saxophone he received for his birthday aboard the International Space Station. (AP Photo)

France’s musical astronaut Thomas Pesquet is enjoying a special birthday present delivered to him up at the International Space Station. The saxophone arrived in a SpaceX cargo ship on February 23, and his crewmates kept it hidden until his 39th birthday on February 27.

He revealed the birthday surprise this week via Twitter.

“You might reconsider when you hear the cacophony. Now ace those final exams and get up here!” Pesquet replied Tuesday.

Pesquet has been in orbit since November and has three months remaining in his mission. He’s a former pilot for Air France.

This isn’t the first time a sax has flown in space. Shuttle astronaut Ronald McNair took one up in 1984, two years before he died aboard the Challenger.

Other out-of-this-world musical instruments: piano keyboard, flute, guitar, bagpipes and even an Australian didgeridoo.