Tistix in Zero Gravity
Tistix Left Earth
In preparation for her second mission to the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Anne
McClain reached out to us with a specific request. On a previous mission, a fellow crew member
had attempted to bring chopsticks aboard, but they failed during ascent. She wanted to surprise him
with a set that could endure the journey—and daily life in orbit.
Over the course of several months, we worked together on a solution. The result was a series of
titanium TiStix, engraved directly into the metal for individual crew members. In total, eleven
engraved sets were produced for astronauts representing official space agencies from around the
world, along with additional sets for members of a private research crew.
TiStix were not designed for space.
They were designed for the table.
They simply proved capable of more.
Each pair was accompanied by a handmade leather TiStix case. Photographs taken aboard the
International Space Station show these cases mounted inside the station—stored, accessed, and
used alongside the everyday tools of life in orbit.
The intention behind the project was simple. One complete set of TiStix would travel to space,
where each astronaut would receive theirs in zero gravity. A second, matching set would remain on
Earth, presented to that astronaut’s spouse or family at the same time. The tools became a quiet
connection between those orbiting Earth and the loved ones waiting below.
During the mission, the engraved pair bearing the Eatingtools founder’s initials was photographed
freely floating in zero gravity, with Earth visible below.
At the conclusion of the mission, that pair returned home—having spent 148 days aboard the
International Space Station, orbiting Earth 2,368 times and traveling more than 62.8 million
miles—along with an official certificate documenting its journey.
LEGAL NOTE:
TiStix are not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA or any space agency.