Viral 'Space Potato' Freaks Viewers, Asks NASA to 'Kill It With Fire'—Astronaut Says It's His 'Hobby'

A ‘space potato’ grown aboard the ISS went viral for its alien look, but NASA astronaut Don Pettit says it highlights future food needs in space. (Credit: Don Pettit / Instagram)

KEY POINTS

• Viral 'space potato' sparks alarm before astronaut explains experiment
• Don Pettit grows potato aboard ISS during off-duty research
• Experiment highlights importance of food production for future space missions

At first glance, it looked like a Chestburster, a baby Xenomorph, or something that had no business floating anywhere near a spacecraft. A purple, tentacled 'egg' drifting in microgravity sent social media into a familiar spiral, with some viewers jokingly urging NASA to 'kill it with fire'.