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  "path": "/science/space-mystery-nasa-international-space-station-purple",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-26T06:09:04.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Chinese probe discovers mysterious huge 'cavity' lurking between Earth and the Moon",
    "'Space archaeology' used for first time ever to trace the history of faraway galaxy",
    "Cutting-edge British satellite that can see through walls from space to rocket into sky in just days",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA Nasa astronaut has shared a photo of a bizarre looking twisted purple growth from on board the International Space Station (ISS).\n\nDon Pettit, a chemical engineer and Nasa's oldest astronaut in space, snapped the photo during Expedition 72, which spanned from September 23 2024 until April 18 2025.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSocial media users were left puzzled by a purple-black tentacle-like protrusion at the heart of the photo.\n\nBut the reality of Mr Pettit's image was far more mundane: a potato.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThe astronaut said the potato had been named Spudnik-1 - after the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik.\n\nWhen he shared it online, a commentator joked it looked like a \"mimic hatching out of an egg,\" a reference to the 2017 science fiction video game Prey.\n\nHe said: \"I flew potatoes on Expedition 72 for my space garden, an activity I did in my off-duty time.\n\n\"This is an early purple potato, complete with spot of hook Velcro to anchor it in my improvised grow light terrarium.\"\n\nMr Pettit explained why he took his off-duty time to study potatoes.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added: \"Potatoes are one of the most efficient plants based on edible nutrition to total plant mass (including roots).\n\n\"Recognised by Andy Weir in his book/movie 'The Martian', potatoes will have a place in future exploration of space.\n\n\"So I thought it good to get started now!\"\n\nIn the film The Martian, adapted from the book of the same name, Matt Damon portrays biologist Mark Watney who successfully grows potatoes on Mars to eat.\n\n### LATEST FROM OUTSIDE OUR ATMOSPHERE:\n\n\n\n\n  * Chinese probe discovers mysterious huge 'cavity' lurking between Earth and the Moon\n  * 'Space archaeology' used for first time ever to trace the history of faraway galaxy\n  * Cutting-edge British satellite that can see through walls from space to rocket into sky in just days\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA recent study has shown potatoes could grow on the Moon, with the help of human waste and compost originating from Earth.\n\nOne fan asked Mr Pettit, also known for his photography, how it compared to growing potatoes on Earth.\n\nHe responded: \"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.\"\n\nResponding to another social media user, Mr Pettit said he was unsure why plants grow slower, but said it was likely \"stress-induced\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAstronauts have tested growing a number of fruits, vegetables and flowers on the ISS.\n\nFoods successfully grown by the agency include lettuce, Chinese cabbage, mizuna mustard, red Russian kale and zinnia flowers.\n\nNasa has said more produce is planned to be planted in the future, including tomatoes and peppers.\n\nAntioxidant-rich foods such as berries could also be useful in astronaut diets, with the added benefit of providing some protection against space radiation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Nasa astronaut shares new photo of twisted purple growth on board International Space Station"
}