Astronaut Don Pettit recently shared a photo of a purple potato, affectionately named Spudnik-1, grown aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The image was posted on March 20, 2026, and has since sparked viral theories about alien life on social media.
The potato was cultivated during Expedition 72, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025. Pettit, who has completed four space missions totaling 590 days in orbit, utilized his off-duty time to experiment with growing potatoes as part of his space garden.
Pettit noted that the potato’s tentacle-like appearance is due to roots growing in microgravity, a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists and enthusiasts alike. He referenced the book and movie ‘The Martian’ as inspiration for his endeavor, highlighting the potential for growing food in space.
The purple potato is notable for its high levels of anthocyanins, a natural pigment that contributes to its color and nutritional value. Pettit explained, “Potatoes are one of the most efficient plants based on edible nutrition to total plant mass, including roots.” This efficiency is particularly relevant as NASA and other space agencies focus on food production systems for long-duration missions to Mars and establishing permanent Moon bases.
To facilitate the growth of Spudnik-1, Pettit used Velcro to anchor the potato in his improvised grow-light terrarium. He expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I flew potatoes on Expedition 72 for my space garden, an activity I did in my off-duty time. So I thought it good to get started now!”
The interest in Pettit’s potato experiment reflects a broader trend in space exploration, where growing food in microgravity is seen as a crucial step for future missions. As space agencies continue to explore sustainable living in space, the success of projects like Spudnik-1 could pave the way for more extensive agricultural efforts in orbit.
