NASA astronaut Don Pettit recently conducted an unusual experiment on the International Space Station (ISS) – he tried to put on pants while in microgravity. In a video posted on social media, Pettit, wearing a T-shirt and socks, approaches the hover pants, slips his legs through, quickly pulls up the waistband and zippers up. After completing this impromptu trick, he joyfully exclaimed: “Yes, yes!”.
OK; you all asked if this was possible….. pic.twitter.com/sMmJJtQNMy
— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) February 23, 2025
This fun experiment caused a storm of reactions in the community. Some admired the astronaut’s creativity, while others joked that such entertainment was not the best use of the space station’s resources.
Master of microgravity
This isn’t the first time Pettit has invented unusual challenges using the unique conditions of the ISS. In 2008, he invented the Zero-G Cup, a special cup for drinking liquids without a straw in microgravity. Its design is based on the use of surface tension force, and this invention was the first patented in space.
Pettit also experimented with planet formation using common materials like salt, sugar, and coffee grounds. Placing them in plastic bags filled with air and shaking them, he watched the particles stick together, simulating the processes that occur in protoplanetary disks. This has given scientists new data on the role of electrostatic forces in the formation of planets.
Dangers of being in space
The ISS is located about 400 kilometers above the Earth. Although gravity there is 90% of Earth’s, the astronauts are in a state of microgravity because they are continuously falling around the planet along with the station.
Adapting to such conditions is not easy. The lack of gravitational stress leads to loss of bone mass and weakened muscles, so astronauts have to exercise at least two hours a day. Even with this routine, many of them return to Earth with weakened bodies, and full recovery can take months.
Despite all the challenges, life in orbit is not without its moments of entertainment. Pettit’s pants experiment is just one example of astronauts finding ways to make the ordinary in space more interesting.
We previously reported on how microgravity improves the flavor of beer in space.
According to iflscience.com
