International Space Station: What was that tentacled object floating on the ISS? Viral ISS photo sparks panic before astronaut reveals the truth

A strange tentacled object floating aboard the International Space Station has stunned the internet. The photo taken by Don Pettit quickly went viral. At first glance it looked like something straight out of science fiction.
But the real explanation turned out to be much less alarming and surprisingly mundane.

The image taken at the International Space Station during Expedition 72 quickly attracted attention on the internet. The object shot by astronaut Don Pettit appeared egg-shaped with dark tendrils radiating outward, prompting immediate comparisons with alien life forms, The Daily Mail and The New York Post reported.

What did astronauts actually photograph?

Social media users reacted immediately. One wrote: “Kill with fire!!!” while another admitted: “Brother, I really thought that was some kind of hatching.” “Looks like a copycat hatching from an egg,” joked a third, referencing the movie Prey.

Despite the panic, Pettit later clarified the mystery. “Spudnik–1 is a potato orbiting @Space_Station!” He revealed that the object was a potato grown in space, according to reports by The Daily Mail and The New York Post.

Why did the potato look so foreign?

The unusual appearance was due to microgravity. Without gravity guiding growth, the roots spread in all directions, creating a tentacle-like effect.

“This is an early purple potato, complete with hook point Velcro to secure it to my improvised grow light terrarium,” Pettit described the setup. He added: “I flew potatoes in Expedition 72 for my space garden, which was an activity I did in my off-duty time.”

He also explained why potatoes were chosen. “Potatoes are one of the most productive plants in terms of total plant mass (including roots) for edible nutrition.”

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How does this relate to future space missions?

The experiment is not just for curiosity. Pettit noted its relevance to long-term missions, noting: “The potato, recognized in Andy Weir’s book/movie “The Martian,” will have a place in future explorations of space. So I thought it would be good to start now!”

“In the absence of gravity, roots grow in all directions, and all the plants I’ve grown in space have grown much more slowly than they did on Earth,” Pettit added. “I have more photos to share later,” The Daily Mail and The New York Post reported.

The viral moment may have started with fear and humor, but it highlights a serious goal: finding sustainable food sources outside Earth. Even something as simple as a potato could play a crucial role as space agencies prepare for longer missions.

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FAQ

What was the strange object on the ISS?
It was a potato grown as part of a space gardening experiment.

Why did it look so unusual?
Microgravity caused the roots to grow in all directions, giving it a tentacled appearance.