Japanese Astronaut Tests Magic Carpet

When Japanese Astronaut, Koichi Wakata left for space in March, one of the fun experiments he had planned to conduct was to try flying on a magic carpet. Earlier this week, this fun-loving astronaut put up a show, that would have made even Aladdin proud!

Before embarking on his magical flight, the astronaut put adhesive tape on the soles of his shoes. Then, safely stuck on the clean white sheet, he stood up and fearlessly glided across the cabin. He had so much fun that he decided to try flying horizontally - and with his hands gripping the sides of the sheet he zipped across one more time, just like a pro.

The 'flying carpet' test was one of 16 fun experiments that the Japanese Space Agency has picked for Koichi to perform, from the thousands of suggestions sent in by the Japanese people.

Some of the other experiments have not been quite as successful, include Koichi's attempt to fire a water pistol in Space, which failed miserably, thanks to the high surface tension. He could only put eye drops after bringing his eye right next to the container and forcing the drop that was sitting on the edge, into his eye. And then there was the almost impossible task of folding laundry, which was quite comical in zero gravity, as the arms and legs of his space overall kept flying out.

However, there is one experiment that nobody is talking about - Apparently, the astronaut has not changed his underwear much during his almost three-month stint. That is because he is testing a new line of self-deodorizing underwear, that can be worn for days or even months! We wonder how his fellow astronauts feel about that one.

Koichi, who is scheduled to return to Earth in June, is known for conducting offbeat fun experiments. On his previous mission he and a fellow astronaut became the first people to play a board game in zero gravity.

Sources: The hindu.com, guardian.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk