Eating in space is a unique adventure! Astronauts need special food that works in zero gravity and keeps them healthy while exploring the universe. Let’s dive into some exciting facts about space food and how astronauts eat in orbit!
1. Space food started as paste in tubes.
In the 1960s, during the first space missions, astronauts ate food squeezed out of tubes, similar to toothpaste!
It was practical but not very appetising.
Modern astronauts have much tastier options.
2. Freeze-drying makes food lightweight.
Many space foods are freeze-dried, meaning all the water is removed to make them super light and long-lasting.
Before eating, astronauts add water to bring the food back to life.
This process keeps meals like scrambled eggs, pasta, and fruit fresh for years.
3. Crumbs can be dangerous!
Crumbs float in microgravity and can damage equipment or irritate astronauts’ eyes and noses.
To solve this, bread is replaced with tortillas, which don’t make crumbs and are easy to store.
4. Snacks are a must.
Astronauts get snacks like nuts, granola bars, and even sweets.
Chocolate is a favourite treat in space!
These snacks help keep energy levels high during long missions.
5. Fresh food is a rare treat.
While most space food is packaged, fresh fruits and vegetables, like apples or carrots, are sent up on resupply missions.
These rare treats are eaten quickly since they spoil faster.
6. Spices come in liquid form.
Because floating grains of salt and pepper are a hazard, astronauts use liquid salt and pepper.
This way, the seasoning stays on the food and doesn’t float away!
7. Astronauts lose some of their sense of taste!
Astronauts lose some of their sense of taste in space because fluids in their bodies shift, making their noses stuffy.
That’s why spicy foods and tangy sauces, like hot sauce, are especially popular.
They pack a punch when other foods taste bland.
8. Drinking in space is tricky.
In microgravity, liquids don’t pour like they do on Earth.
Drinks like coffee, juice, and water are stored in sealed pouches with special straws to prevent spills.
Astronauts sip them carefully to avoid messes.
9. The first pizza party in space was in December 2017.
In December 2017, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) had the first-ever pizza party in space!
NASA sent special ingredients like flatbread, tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni after Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli requested his favourite food.
10. Every meal is carefully planned.
Nutritionists and scientists design astronaut menus months in advance.
Each meal is balanced to give astronauts the energy and nutrients they need to stay healthy in space.
Food also needs to be compact and easy to store.
Did you know?
Some missions include unique foods to match the culture of the astronauts onboard. For example, a Japanese astronaut once brought sushi, and Italian astronauts have had espresso sent to space!
Space food has come a long way from those early days of tubes and cubes. Would you try eating like an astronaut? Let us know your favourite space snack idea!
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