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space-iconSpace and Physics
clock-iconPUBLISHEDFebruary 25, 2025
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Astronaut Attempts Daring Pants Maneuver On ISS After Public Requests

Half way through the maneuver, he was forced to engage manual controls.

James Felton headshot

James Felton

James Felton headshot

James Felton

Senior Staff Writer

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.

Senior Staff Writer

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.View full profile

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.

View full profile
EditedbyFrancesca Benson
Francesca Benson headshot

Francesca Benson

Copy Editor and Staff Writer

Francesca has an MSci in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham.

Don Pettit floating down towards his pants.

Don Pettit floating down towards his pants.

Image credit: NASA/Don Pettit


Astronaut and keen astrophotographer Donald "Don" Pettit has performed a tricky pants maneuver in space. Pettit has racked up over 500 days in space and is currently doing a stint on board the International Space Station (ISS). 

While on board, during his various missions, he has taken spectacular space photos and explained why some images can no longer be taken from the orbiting space station.

As well as answering questions from the public, it appears that he is also open to requests. In a video he posted to X, Pettit demonstrated that it is possible to float yourself into a pair of pants bobbing away beneath you.

During the maneuver, Pettit entered with a reasonable relative speed to the pants, and things appeared to be going smoothly. However, as he got closer he had to engage manual controls, pulling the pants up and around his buttocks using his hands. 

Even in space, it appears, it is not possible to drop into your pants like you're Wallace from Wallace and Gromit.


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