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 left the internet stunned. The image, captured 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 far less alarming—and surprisingly ordinary.

The image taken aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 72 quickly caught attention online. Shot by astronaut Don Pettit, the object appeared egg-shaped with dark tendrils spreading outward, prompting immediate comparisons to alien life forms, as per reports by The Daily Mail and The New York Post.

What did astronauts actually photograph?

Social media users reacted instantly. One wrote: “Kill it with fire!!!” while another admitted, “Bro I genuinely thought this was some kind of egg hatching.” A third joked, “Looks like a mimic hatching out of an egg,” referencing the film Prey.

Despite the panic, Pettit later clarified the mystery. “Spudnik–1, an orbiting potato on @Space_Station!” he explained, revealing the object was simply a potato grown in space, as per reports by The Daily Mail and The New York Post.

Why did the potato look so alien?

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

Pettit described the setup: “This is an early purple potato, complete with spot of hook Velcro to anchor it in my improvised grow light terrarium.” He added, "I flew potatoes on Expedition 72 for my space garden, an activity I did in my off–duty time."

He also explained why potatoes were chosen. “Potatoes are one of the most efficient plants based on edible nutrition to total plant mass (including roots).”

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How does this connect to future space missions?

The experiment isn’t just for curiosity. Pettit pointed to its relevance for long-term missions, noting, "Recognized by Andy Weir in his book/movie "The Martian," potatoes will have a place in future exploration of space. So I thought it good to get started now!"

He added, ““The roots would grow in all directions absent gravity, and all plants I have ever grown in space have grown far slower than they would have on Earth,” Pettit replied. “I have more pictures I will share later," as per reports by The Daily Mail and The New York Post.

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


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FAQs

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 roots to grow in all directions, giving it a tentacled appearance.