Quck answer
In space, astronauts eat specially prepared meals to meet their nutritional needs. These meals are packaged to prevent spoilage and contamination. The food is often freeze-dried or dehydrated to reduce weight and increase shelf life. Astronauts have a variety of options, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and desserts. They can also choose from a selection of condiments and seasonings to enhance the flavor of their meals. Additionally, astronauts have access to drinks like coffee, tea, and fruit juices. Eating in space is a unique experience, but astronauts’ dietary needs are carefully considered to ensure they stay healthy and fueled for their missions.
There is no pizza delivery in space, which is unfortunate. If you aspire to be an astronaut, don’t do it for the food!
Eating in space can be quite challenging due to the lack of gravity. If you were to let go of a French fry, it would float away and drift around the spaceship. Good luck trying to hold onto your dinner. And a cup of water? Forget it! Water would not stay in the cup; it would float through the air.
So how do astronauts manage to stay in space for days or weeks at a time? Scientists have developed special methods of packaging and consuming food in space. Initially, space foods were soft and packaged in tubes, similar to toothpaste.
In 1962, John Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to eat in space. He consumed applesauce from an aluminum tube during a Mercury mission, having to squeeze the food into his mouth.
If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, you’re not alone. Astronauts were not fond of it either. Eventually, scientists discovered ways to create better and more flavorful space foods that were also easier to eat.
One technique they use is freeze-drying. This involves quickly freezing and dehydrating food after it is cooked. Freeze-dried food does not require refrigeration and has a long shelf life.
To consume freeze-dried food, astronauts add water to the food packages. Once the food absorbs the water, it is ready to eat. Astronauts can use hot water to prepare hot and nutritious meals.
Some freeze-dried foods, such as fruit, can be eaten in their dry form. In fact, you may have unknowingly eaten astronaut food before, as many breakfast cereals now include freeze-dried fruits like strawberries.
Today, astronauts consume many of the same foods they would eat on Earth. However, the food is still dehydrated or prepared in special ways. Space shuttles now have fully equipped kitchens with hot water and ovens.
Astronauts can also use condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise packets to add flavor. They can also add salt and pepper, but in liquid form. This is to prevent the grains from floating away.
Drinks also need to be dehydrated and are kept in powder form in special pouches. These pouches have built-in straws or nozzles, allowing astronauts to drink directly from the pouch after adding water.
To prevent their food from floating away, astronauts use Velcro fasteners. They secure their trays to their laps, enabling them to enjoy a meal while seated.
Nutritionists carefully plan astronaut meals to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. However, some astronauts may experience digestive issues after spending a prolonged period in space.
Experts believe these problems may be caused by a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in astronauts’ bodies. To learn more about this issue, a group of high school students from Jefferson County, Kentucky, will conduct an experiment that will be sent into outer space on the space shuttle Endeavour.
As part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, the students have designed an experiment to examine the effects of microgravity on Lactobacillus GG. This probiotic could potentially help future astronauts maintain better health in space.
A total of 16 experiments designed by students will be conducted on the Endeavour space shuttle. This is fitting because the Endeavour is the only shuttle that was named by children. In 1988, students participated in a national competition to name the shuttle.
The winning name, Endeavour, was chosen based on an 18th-century British ship. However, the name has sometimes caused confusion. Many people want to spell it as “Endeavor” since that is the American spelling. However, the space shuttle uses the British spelling with a “u” because that is how the name of the earlier ship was spelled.
Do you have a favorite food that you would like to take to space? Have you ever wondered what dehydrated pizza or chicken nuggets would look like? Or mashed potatoes? Space food may not always look appetizing, but it provides astronauts with the necessary nutrients to perform their duties effectively!
Give it a Try
Are you interested in learning more about food in space? Enlist the help of a friend or family member and try out the following activities:
- Space travel for ordinary people is becoming more and more possible. Explore our Wonder: What Would You Pack for a Trip to Outer Space? Create your own packing list.
- Are you curious about astronaut food? Visit the NASA website to see a Space Food Tray with samples of food. What do you think? Does the food look appetizing to you? Would you be willing to give up some of your favorite foods for a short period of time for the opportunity to go to outer space? As you sit down for your next meal with your family, discuss how your meal differs from what astronauts eat. Would your meal taste different in space? Would it be easy or difficult to eat in space? Have fun comparing your dinner table to an astronaut’s food tray!
- Do you want to delve deeper into what astronauts do in space? Read about the International Space Station and share the most interesting facts you learn with a friend or family member.
Sources
- http://science.howstuffworks.com/astronauts-eat-in-space.htm (accessed 19 Sept. 2019)
- http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/04/28/schoolchildren-named-nasas-space-shuttle-endeavour/ (accessed 19 Sept. 2019)
- http://ssep.ncesse.org/communities/selected-experiments-on-sts-134/ (accessed 19 Sept. 2019)
- http://www.spacekids.co.uk/spacefood/ (accessed 19 Sept. 2019)
FAQ
1. What do astronauts eat in space?
Astronauts eat a variety of foods in space to stay healthy and nourished. Their meals are carefully planned and prepared to provide them with the necessary nutrients and energy. These meals include fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. However, due to the lack of gravity, the food is specially packaged to prevent spoilage and to make it easy to eat. Most of the food is dehydrated and needs to be rehydrated with water before consumption. Astronauts also have access to condiments and seasonings to add flavor to their meals.
2. How is the food prepared for astronauts in space?
The food for astronauts is prepared and packaged on Earth before being sent to space. It goes through a process called thermostabilization, where the food is heated to kill any bacteria and then sealed in a pouch or container. The food is also dehydrated to remove moisture, which helps to prevent spoilage. Once in space, the food is rehydrated by adding water, and then it can be eaten. Some meals can be eaten as they are, while others require heating with a special oven or water activation. The packaging is designed to be lightweight and easy to open in the microgravity environment.
3. How do astronauts grow fresh food in space?
Astronauts have the ability to grow fresh food in space using specially designed plant growth systems. These systems provide the plants with the necessary light, water, and nutrients to grow. The plants are usually grown using hydroponics, which means they are grown without soil. Instead, the roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich water solution. This method allows the plants to grow faster and use less water. Currently, astronauts have successfully grown lettuce, radishes, and zinnias in space. The ability to grow fresh food in space is important for long-duration missions, as it provides astronauts with a source of fresh produce.
4. How do astronauts drink water in space?
Astronauts in space have access to two sources of water: recycled water and water brought from Earth. The recycled water comes from various sources, such as urine, sweat, and condensation. This water goes through a purification system that removes impurities and makes it safe to drink. The purified water is then used for drinking, cooking, and rehydrating the dehydrated meals. Water brought from Earth is also available and is used as a backup supply. Drinking water in space is a carefully controlled process to ensure the astronauts stay hydrated and healthy.
5. Can astronauts eat their favorite foods in space?
Astronauts are allowed to bring a few personal items with them to space, including some of their favorite foods. However, these foods need to meet certain requirements, such as being lightweight, non-perishable, and easy to consume. Astronauts often choose foods that remind them of home or have sentimental value. These personal items can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity during their time in space. However, the majority of the astronaut’s diet consists of pre-packaged meals that are specifically designed to meet their nutritional needs and withstand the conditions of space.
Leave a Reply