Photo by: ISS/NASA

ISS/NASA

Celebrating 20 Years of Food in Space on the ISS

This year marks the 20th anniversary of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station. Do you ever wonder what the astronauts have been eating for the past 20 years in zero gravity? Let’s find out!

September 23, 2020

The History of Space Food

The first American astronaut to eat in space was John H. Glenn in 1962 during the Friendship 7 flight of the Mercury Program. Space food during this time was based on Army survival rations. While he orbited the Earth, his crumb-free meal consisted of applesauce and was packed in a tube. He later consumed pureed beef and vegetables. It was unclear at the time in America if an astronaut could digest food properly in zero gravity. John H. Glenn proved it was possible.

Aluminum tube containing beef and vegetables from Mercury food supplies.

Photo by: NASA

NASA

Aluminum tube containing beef and vegetables from Mercury food supplies.

During Project Gemini, American astronauts were introduced to freeze-dried space food. The astronauts added water to the contents of the packaging prior to eating. Meals consisted of an entrée, vegetable, and dessert. The first consumption of solid food in space was on Gemini 3.

(March 1965 ) --- Food packets for use on the Gemini-3 flight including dehydrated beef pot roast, bacon and egg bites, toasted bread cubes, orange juice and a wet wipe. Water is being inserted into the pouch of dehydrated food.

Photo by: NASA

NASA

(March 1965 ) --- Food packets for use on the Gemini-3 flight including dehydrated beef pot roast, bacon and egg bites, toasted bread cubes, orange juice and a wet wipe. Water is being inserted into the pouch of dehydrated food.

Later, the Apollo missions allowed for more food items to choose from, the option of hot water, and packaging made for spoons. Each meal was designed with nutrition in mind. Served out of packages, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin reportedly ate beef and vegetables, pork with potato scallops, Canadian bacon, and applesauce.

In 1973 during the Skylab Program, the third stage of a Saturn V rocket was transformed into a space station. The space station had a galley in which the astronauts could cook their meals as well as store food in a refrigerator or freezer. During this time, the astronaut’s favorite meal was ice cream. Unfortunately, Skylab marked the end of refrigerators or freezers for long term food storage in space.

Skylab 4 astronaut Edward G. Gibson at the Skylab galley.

Photo by: NASA

NASA

Skylab 4 astronaut Edward G. Gibson at the Skylab galley.

During the Space Shuttle era, astronauts were able to choose meals from an extensive menu provided by NASA Space Food Systems test kitchen in Houston, Texas, before lift-off. These meals were shelf-stable through the process of freeze-drying and thermo-stabilization. No refrigeration needed just like the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo days.

Space Shuttle astronauts had a wide variety of foods available to them. Food shown here includes a space station meal tray with packaged food and drink; different types of space food including beverages, rehydratable food (shrimp cocktail), intermediate moisture (dried apricots, beef tips & mushrooms), natural form and thermostabilized/aseptic fill (peach yogurt, butterscotch pudding); rehydratable beverage (coffee and cream); rehydratable food (shrimp cocktail); and irradiated steak.

Photo by: NASA

NASA

Space Shuttle astronauts had a wide variety of foods available to them. Food shown here includes a space station meal tray with packaged food and drink; different types of space food including beverages, rehydratable food (shrimp cocktail), intermediate moisture (dried apricots, beef tips & mushrooms), natural form and thermostabilized/aseptic fill (peach yogurt, butterscotch pudding); rehydratable beverage (coffee and cream); rehydratable food (shrimp cocktail); and irradiated steak.

What’s for Dinner Tonight on the ISS?

Similar to the space shuttle era, astronauts on the International Space Station consume various shelf-stable foods, except bread. Crumbs are not welcome on the ISS as they can find their way inside the air filtration system and damage equipment. The astronauts have methods for warming their food. They plate their meals within disposable packaging on magnetized trays accompanied with utensils. Some favorite space food items are tortillas, chicken teriyaki, hamburgers, shrimp cocktail, tacos, pasta, peanut butter, cookies, and brownies. Condiments include liquid form salt, pepper, and hot sauce.

STS-98 Pilot Kenneth D. Cockrell preparing breakfast burritos for his crewmates.

Photo by: ISS/NASA

ISS/NASA

STS-98 Pilot Kenneth D. Cockrell preparing breakfast burritos for his crewmates.

Different types of cuisines from all over the world are enjoyed on the ISS as crew members tend to share their country's specialties with one another. Some memorable favorites have been borscht from Russia, macarons from France, and sushi from Japan.

Right: Expedition 55 crewmembers
(left to right) Anton N. Shkaplerov, Oleg G. Artemev, and Norishige Kanai enjoy a sushi dinner.

Photo by: ISS/NASA

ISS/NASA

Right: Expedition 55 crewmembers
(left to right) Anton N. Shkaplerov, Oleg G. Artemev, and Norishige Kanai enjoy a sushi dinner.

In December 2019, for the very first time, a batch of chocolate-chip cookies were oven baked in space by the Expedition 61 crew. Double Tree by Hilton provided the pre-made cookie dough which was launched to the ISS with a Zero G oven from Zero G Kitchen. The astronauts sent their baked space cookies for testing back to Earth in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

Thanks to the efforts of food scientists and evolving technology, astronauts now have over two hundred diverse food items to choose from as they journey in space.

Next Up

This All-Civilian Space Mission Wants to Achieve the Highest Human Orbit Ever

Last year marked a fascinating turning point in the history of spaceflight. For the first time ever, more civilians went into space than professional ones. The private companies Virgin Galactic, Blue Origins, and SpaceX all offer seats for sale, with missions as brief as just a few minutes to as long as a few days.

NASA Has a New Supersonic Jet and It’s Super-Quiet

There’s more to NASA than space. The agency’s full acronym stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I’ve covered plenty of interesting stories in the space sector, so it’s time to the aeronautics side some love too.

William Shatner Becomes Oldest Man to Travel to Space After Successful Blue Origin Space Flight

On the morning of October 13, William Shatner joined the crew of New Shepard for its second crewed flight, NS-18. Due to a few holds, the scheduled 10A liftoff was delayed by about 50 minutes from Blue Origin's Launch Site One in Texas. Despite the delays, liftoff and touchdown went off without a hitch, making Star Trek star William Shatner the oldest man to go to space.

Check Out NASA’s DART Mission

It’s like “Armageddon” but in real life.

Countdown to Launch: NASA and SpaceX Crew-2 Mission

Liftoff set for Friday, April 23, at 5:49A EDT marks the second operational flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Four space explorers are heading to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. It will take them 23 hours to reach their destination.

Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic Successfully Travels to Space

On Sunday, July 11, around 11:30A ET, Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, soared to the edge of space as a passenger aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity. The space plane then landed safely at Spaceport America in New Mexico, making Branson's space tourism dream come true.

Liftoff of NASA and SpaceX Crew-2!

The NASA and SpaceX Crew-2 mission launched on Friday, April 23 at 5:49A ET from the NASA Launch Complex 39A. This historic milestone marks the second operational mission of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Onboard was NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. After a 23-hour journey, Crew-2 successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 24 at 5:08A ET. Here's everything that happened from launch day to the Crew-2's arrival at the ISS. (Updated April 24, 2021)

What You Need to Know About Blue Origin’s Launch into Space with Billionaire Jeff Bezos

The countdown has begun for Blue Origin’s first crewed spaceflight. On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 9:00A ET, Jeff Bezos and three crewmates are lifting off into space from Blue Origin’s Launch Site near Van Horn, Texas. Watch SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: BLUE ORIGIN & JEFF BEZOS GO TO SPACE on Discovery and Science Channels at 8:00A ET or at washingtonpost.com.

6 Months in Space Permanently Ages Bones by 10 Years

Astronauts on long-term space missions can experience bone loss equivalent to two decades of aging. New research suggests more weight-bearing exercises in space could help offset that decline.

NASA's New Rocket is Taller than the Statue of Liberty

The massive space launch system was unveiled last week. Following successful completion of upcoming simulation tests, NASA will set a date for the first of the Artemis II lunar missions.

Related To: