In zero gravity, it quickly became clear that setting up the experiment calmly was nearly impossible. The chain moved unpredictably, behaving in a “molecule-like” manner. With no energy loss in weightlessness, objects continue moving indefinitely. After several failed attempts, Mould and Pettit decided to form the chain into a closed loop – allowing it to move more smoothly without tangling.
The result was surprising: the chain “flowed” through its own loop exactly as Mould’s theory had predicted. At first, the loop maintained a more angular shape, but over time it gradually rounded out due to friction between the links and slight air currents. In the end, Mould concluded that the experiment confirmed his prediction – a chain in zero gravity retains its shape as long as it moves uniformly and remains free from external forces.
The response to the video has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers praised Mould’s enthusiasm and Pettit’s childlike excitement – while joking about Microsoft Teams in space (“Even in space, you can’t escape Teams”). For Steve Mould, the project marked a personal milestone: “I wanted to be an astronaut as a kid – and now I’m doing science with one.”
