Gizmodo

Space & Spaceflight

By Jamie Condliffe Published June 24, 2014, 6:20 am ET

Reading time 1 minute

This might look like a routine scientific experiment, but you’re actually looking at European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst (tick) as he sets fire to samples of various solids (tick) aboard the International Space Station (tick) to see how they burn (tick). This man truly has a wonderful job. [ESA]

Explore more on these topics

Space

Share this story

Sign up for our newsletters

Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more.

Related Articles

Samsung AI Kitchen

Samsung Bespoke AI Refrigerator Wants to Take the Stress Out of the Kitchen

You’ll never have to wrack your brain trying to remember what you have in the fridge again.

Partners Partner Content With Samsung

Iss International Space Station Nasa

Scientists Watched Viruses Attack Bacteria in Space. Things Got Weird

"Microbes continue to evolve under microgravity, and they do so in ways that are not always predictable."

Biology Ed Cara

NASA astronaut Anne McClain discusses the upcoming mission to the International Space Station in a news conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 in Houston.

Woman Pleads Guilty to Lying About Astronaut Wife Accessing Her Bank Account From Space

Astronaut Anne McClain was accused of "identity fraud" while in space.

Crime Matt Novak

International Space Station

NASA Told to Overhaul Its Plans to Replace the International Space Station

A new Trump administration directive seeks to radically change NASA's vision for a continued astronaut presence in low Earth orbit.

Space & Spaceflight Passant Rabie

NASA Sign

NASA Staff To Mark Moon Landing Anniversary with a Protest Against Trump

The White House's 2026 budget proposal threatens dozens of active and upcoming science missions designed to explore the cosmos.

Space & Spaceflight Passant Rabie

Elon Musk waves as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House after stepping off Marine One upon arrival to the White House in Washington, DC on March 9, 2025.

Elon Musk Teases ‘Fireworks’ as Trump Signs His ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has already come out strongly against the legislation.

Politics Luc Olinga

Sign up for our newsletters