Don Pettit grows potato on International Space Station

6 articles · Updated · Space.com · Apr 30

The NASA astronaut named the purple tuber Spudnik and documented its progress in March and April posts after his Expedition 72 mission ended in April 2025.
Using an improvised grow-light terrarium, a drink bag and Velcro, Pettit said the potato sprouted in microgravity, with roots sometimes growing upward as they followed moisture.
The informal experiment highlights challenges of raising food in orbit and could inform future deep-space horticulture, including possible Mars missions, where potatoes may offer a practical nutrition source.

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