Astronauts aboard the International Space Station pay tribute to Leonard Nimoy

The real-life space travellers celebrated the actor's achievements

(Getty Images)

Astronauts on the International Space State have paid tribute to the late Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, who "popularised space travel for generations to come".

Terry W. Virts, a NASA astronaut currently on board the ISS, posted a picture of himself giving the actor’s iconic ‘Vulcan salute’ out of a window looking down towards planet earth.

Other astronauts paid their respects. Sam Cristoforetti, an Italian astronaut aboard the ISS, posted a picture of herself wearing a replica a Star Trek officer’s uniform and giving the same salute.

“Thanks for bringing Spock to life for us,” she tweeted.

Mr Nimoy died on Friday aged 83.