  The elastic properties of neutron star crusts are relevant for a variety of
currently observable or near-future electromagnetic and gravitational wave
phenomena. These phenomena may depend on the elastic properties of nuclear
pasta found in the inner crust. We present large scale classical molecular
dynamics simulations where we deform nuclear pasta. We simulate idealized
samples of nuclear pasta and describe their breaking mechanism. We also deform
nuclear pasta that is arranged into many domains, similar to what is known for
the ions in neutron star crusts. Our results show that nuclear pasta may be the
strongest known material, perhaps with a shear modulus of
$10^{30}\,\text{ergs/cm}^3$ and breaking strain greater than 0.1.

Nuclear Theory