NASA’s Don Pettit was challenged by the public to try and float himself into a pair of pants whilst aboard the ISS – and was captured performing the stunt on camera in his boxers
NASA astronaut performs bizarre trick at International Space Station
A NASA astronaut was caught with his pants down in space whilst challenging himself to float back into his trousers during a bizarre experiment.
Don Pettit was seen orbiting the International Space Station (ISS) half naked after the public challenged him to put on a pair of trousers by floating into them. While astronauts and objects in the ISS appear weightless because they are in a constant state of free fall, directing their movements towards a specific area can be particularly challenging.
Pettit filmed his attempt in a video shared on X on Sunday. He was captured in nothing but a T-shirt and boxer shorts as he sunk down into the trousers, which sat in an upright position thanks to the lack of gravity. As each foot entered his trouser legs, he quickly reached for the waistband, pulled them up and fastened the zip before shouting: “Ta da!”
Pettit, who has been living inside space station for around six months, left several viewers amused by the stunt, with one X user applauding him, writing: “Annnnnd… Score! Good job!”. Others found the move underwhelming. “Just put the legs in the pants bro,” another person said. “It’s probably time to close the ISS and use the money for something more productive”, said a third user.
In September, Pettit embarked on his third mission aboard the ISS, alongside Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. Known for his expertise in astrophotography, he has since captured breathtaking images from his unique vantage point in low-Earth orbit. The stunning visuals have served as educational tools for those on the ground, offering a rare glimpse into the beauty of Earth from space.
He also earned a reputation for conducting “science of opportunity” experiments – spontaneous tests that maximise the specific conditions aboard the ISS. One of his most notable contributions was the creation of the Zero-G Coffee Cup during a mission in 2008. This device allows astronauts to enjoy coffee in microgravity without the need for a straw.
He used a piece of plastic from his Flight Data File mission book, folded it into a teardrop shape, and sealed one end. The surface tension inside the cup kept the hot liquid from floating away, and it ultimately became the first patented invention created in space.
Orbiting the Earth approximately 250 miles above the surface, the ISS experiences a gravitational pull only 90% as strong as Earth’s. Despite this reduced gravity, astronauts aboard the station weigh slightly less than they would on the planet’s surface, giving them a unique environment to carry out scientific experiments and innovation.
