It is known that some materials, solids, liquids or gases can behave differently in zero gravity (or micro-gravity). One might ask whether permanent magnets are affected?
Magnetic attraction in space
The answer is that their characteristics are insensitive to weightlessness.
In fact, the magnet generates its own magnetic field around itself, and at the same temperature, it works just as well in space as on Earth. This allows astronauts, for example, to hold their cutlery on the tray with magnets at mealtimes.
Test verified on board the ISS
British astronaut Richard Garriott, who spent 10 days in the ISS, had fun handling small neodymium magnets and showed that they retain their attractive force.
Interestingly, the south side of the magnet bar in weightlessness points towards the Earth when the ISS is over the southern hemisphere. The astronaut indicates that when the ISS flies over Canada, the other side of the bar, with its northern polarity, points towards the earth.
Thanks to Richard for the demo, he paid 30 million dollars for this tourist trip in space.
Other features of magnets: