NASA sends 2026 World Cup ball into space
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have conducted a series of tests utilizing the Adidas Trionda.
Specifically, microgravity experiments were carried out to observe how the ball reacts, evaluating its rotational balance, aerodynamic stability, and flight trajectory.
These high-tech trials are essential as modern World Cup match balls feature an internal motion sensor that transmits real-time data to the VAR system, an addition that can potentially alter the ball's center of mass.
NASA has a history of aerodynamic testing in football, having previously analyzed South Africa 2010's Jabulani and Brazil 2014's Brazuca. For this latest study, researchers built upon a 2019 experiment focused on the dynamics of spherical objects in space.
