Space travel is a unique experience, full of challenges and adventures, and one of the most important challenges is food. How do astronauts eat their food in a zero-gravity environment? And how is the
food that accompanies them on their long journeys chosen?
In the past, food for astronauts was limited and boring, consisting of dried or canned food, eaten from plastic tubes. But with technological advancements, the variety of food available to astronauts has improved greatly and become more diverse and delicious.
10 Interesting Facts About Astronaut Food:
Variety of food:
Astronauts today are offered a wide food menu of over 200 items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, and desserts.
Dried food: Dried food
is still an important part of the diet in space because it is easy to store and transport.
Frozen food:
Some fresh food, such as fruits and berries, is frozen to preserve its nutritional value and flavor.
Pre-prepared food:
Some meals are prepared in advance on Earth and heated in a special oven on board the International Space Station.
Adding water:
Water is added to many dried foods before eating, such as soups and pasta.
Spices: Spices are used extensively to add flavor to food, as some food loses its flavor in space.
Eating utensils:
Astronauts use special utensils to eat food in a zero-gravity environment, such as spoons and forks that are attached to their plates.
Mealtime:
Astronauts set aside specific time to eat food together to maintain their sense of belonging and normalcy.
Waste disposal:
Food waste is recycled and converted into potable water.
Agricultural experiments:
Some space agencies are conducting experiments to grow plants in space, with the goal of providing fresh food for astronauts in the future.
In conclusion, food is an essential element of space travel, and great efforts are made to ensure that astronauts have healthy and delicious food to help them perform their tasks successfully.