Hollow Pyramid Salt Crystals Grown on the ISS — Microgravity Defies Normal Crystal Shape

NASA astronaut Don Pettit has shared photos and video of potassium chloride crystals grown aboard the International Space Station. Instead of the usual cubic form, the salt crystals took the shape of hollow, stepped pyramids under microgravity conditions roughly one million times weaker than on Earth's surface. On Earth, a crystal's own weight limits its growth; in space that constraint disappears, allowing free growth in all directions.

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💡 Did You Know Potassium chloride crystals in microgravity grow in stunning staircase 'hopper' shapes Live Science · 6d ago 🔬 Science NASA astronaut Chris Williams returns to Earth after 241 days on the ISS TVN24 · 22h ago 🔬 Science NASA plans three spacewalks in August to upgrade ISS solar arrays and antennas NASA Breaking News · 1d ago