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Astronaut Grows 'Spudnik-1' Potato in Space Experiment

3/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Astronaut Don Pettit conducted a personal potato gardening experiment aboard the International Space Station, naming one potato Spudnik-1 in homage to Sputnik.
The potato was secured with Velcro in microgravity to keep it from floating away.
Pettit observed that space-grown plants develop more slowly than those on Earth.
He also grew potatoes during Expedition 72 as a hobby in his space garden.

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Story summary

Astronaut Don Pettit conducted a personal potato gardening experiment aboard the International Space Station, naming one potato Spudnik-1 in homage to Sputnik.
The potato was secured with Velcro in microgravity to keep it from floating away.
Pettit observed that space-grown plants develop more slowly than those on Earth.
He also grew potatoes during Expedition 72 as a hobby in his space garden.