ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Space

Astronaut shows what fidget spinners can do in outer space

NASA just wins, can everyone stop with the fidget spinner videos now?

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
October 18, 2017
in Offbeat, Space, Videos
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

You thought you’ve seen fidget spinners — but you’ve never seen them like this.

Along with vital supplies and experiment materials, NASA astronauts are also allowed to bring some personal items aboard. Thankfully, someone included a fidget spinner and showed us some tricks (we don’t know for sure who brought it aboard, there’s no official source as to how the fidget spinner got on the ISS).

The fidget, they say, is an excellent way to experiment with Newton’s laws of motion.

The video starts with the astronauts hanging out in front of the Cupola, the ISS observatory module, and quickly moves into Newton’s territory with NASA’s Randy Bresnik doing rotations around his waist and Joseph Acaba doing forward somersaults. But it all gets real when the fidget spinner is brought out.

“A fidget spinner in space! How long does it spin? I’m not sure, but it’s a great way to experiment with Newton’s laws of motion!” Bresnik wrote on Twitter.

“Allowing the fidget spinner to float reduces the bearing friction by permitting the rate of the central ring and outer spinner to equalize, and the whole thing spins as a unit,” he added on the video page.

I’ll just assume Bresnik was the one who brought it aboard since he’s the one who seems most proficient with it. I was never on the fidget hype train, but somehow — seeing the thing spinning and floating at the same time just makes it seem like the coolest thing in the world.

Image credits: Larry Bresnik / NASA.

I think this Youtube comment pretty much sums up how I feel about fidget spinners now:

Ok NASA wins. No more fidget spinner videos from here on out. Thanks. ~Sincerely, Everyone.

RelatedPosts

Three new members join International Space Station
The past and future of space exploration at the ‘Beyond Planet Earth’ exhibit
Curiosity’s “history books” find is all a big misunderstanding
Want to work on NASA’s software and get paid for it? You’ll love this challenge

If you have no idea what we’re talking about, fidget spinners are rather nifty toys consisting of a ball-bearing in the center of a multi-lobed flat structure made from metal or plastic. The idea is that the entire thing spins around its axis with very little effort. Fidget spinners were invented as early as 1993, but they only became a hit recently, after being suggested as tools to help people who have trouble with focusing or fidgeting.

Tags: fidget spinnerInternational Space StationLarry Bresniknasa

Share34TweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Future

NASA Captured a Supersonic Jet Breaking the Sound Barrier and the Image Is Unreal

byTibi Puiu
2 months ago
News

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Spotted Driving Across Mars From Space for the First Time

byTibi Puiu
2 months ago
Climate

Trump’s Budget Plan Is Eviscerating NASA and NOAA Science

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago
News

Astronauts are about to grow mushrooms in space for the first time. It could help us live on Mars

byTibi Puiu
3 months ago

Recent news

assyrian basorelief rock

Stunning 12-Ton Assyrian Relief Unearthed in Iraq Reveals King Legendary King

June 21, 2025

Scientists uncover anti-aging “glue” that naturally repairs damaged DNA

June 20, 2025

New Nanoparticle Vaccine Clears Pancreatic Cancer in Over Half of Preclinical Models

June 20, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.