Draft:Space Cup

The Space Cup, also known as the Zero G Cup, is an open container cup that functions in the weightlessness of space. Invented by NASA astronaut Donald Pettit, it holds the first patent for an object wholly invented in space, and thereby is the first legal invention from off Earth.^[1]

The cup is engineered to function in the microgravity environment of space, enabling astronauts to drink liquids more naturally compared to using traditional methods such as squeeze bottles or straws.^[2]

In the microgravity conditions of space, liquids behave differently than on Earth due to the lack of a strong gravitational force. On Earth, gravity pulls liquids to the bottom of a container, allowing them to be easily sipped or poured. In space, liquids tend to form floating globules, making it challenging to drink using conventional cups.^[3]

Don Pettit, an American chemical engineer and NASA astronaut, invented and developed the Space Cup during his time aboard the International Space Station (ISS).^[4]

He developed a design that utilizes the capillary action—a phenomenon where liquid can flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of external forces like gravity. This channel allows liquid to be drawn up and held against the inner surface of the cup due to surface tension and adhesion forces.^[5]

The Space Cup has routinely gone viral for its unique origin and design, and has been the subject of numerous research papers.^{[6] [7]} It was featured in the May 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine.^{[8] [9]}

The cup received the first ever patent for an object invented in space.^[10]