What Do Astronauts Eat In Space?
QUICK ANSWER
Astronauts on the ISS eat a wide variety of food, including dehydrated meals, thermostabilized pouches, fresh fruit and vegetables (when available), and snacks. NASA carefully plans nutrition for each astronaut. Food in space has come a long way from the tubes of paste eaten by early astronauts.
Modern astronauts eat surprisingly normal food. The dehydrated paste in tubes that early astronauts dealt with has largely been replaced with thermostabilized pouches, dehydrated meals, fresh produce delivered by resupply missions, and snacks similar to what you'd find on Earth. Meals on the ISS are an important part of crew morale during long missions.
What kinds of food do astronauts eat?
Many kinds, including dehydrated, thermostabilized, and fresh. According to NASA, ISS astronauts have access to several hundred different food items. Dehydrated foods (rehydrated with water before eating) include scrambled eggs, beef stew, and rice. Thermostabilized foods come in pouches and are essentially MRE-style meals. Some foods, like nuts and crackers, can be eaten as-is. Fresh fruits and vegetables arrive on resupply missions and are quickly eaten before they spoil. Tortillas have become the bread of choice because they don't produce crumbs.
Why can't they eat regular food?
Crumbs and liquids are problematic in microgravity. Bread crumbs would float around the ISS and could damage equipment or be inhaled. Liquids form floating blobs rather than staying in cups. Food that produces strong smells is also problematic in the enclosed environment. NASA carefully tests foods for these issues before approving them. Tortillas replaced bread because they're flatter and crumb-free. Drinks are sipped through straws from sealed pouches to prevent floating liquid. Salt and pepper come as liquids to prevent dust.
Do they have cultural preferences?
Yes, NASA tries to accommodate them. Astronauts can choose their own meal preferences before missions, including ethnic foods and personal favorites. International crews bring foods from their home countries. Russian cosmonauts have brought borscht; Japanese astronauts have brought sushi. NASA has worked with chefs and food companies to develop space-friendly versions of many cuisines. Birthday and holiday meals are also planned, with crews celebrating special occasions with appropriate foods.
Can they grow food in space?
Yes, though only in small amounts so far. The ISS has had several experimental gardens growing lettuce, peppers, and other vegetables. In 2015, astronauts ate the first food grown entirely in space, a romaine lettuce variety called Outredgeous. Growing food in space is important research for future long-duration missions, where resupply from Earth won't be practical. Crops have to grow in microgravity without normal sunlight, requiring specialized equipment. The amounts grown are still tiny compared to what astronauts eat from supplies.
Astronauts on the ISS eat surprisingly varied meals, including dehydrated foods, pouched meals, fresh produce when available, and personal favorites brought by crew. Modern space food is much better than the paste in tubes that early astronauts dealt with. Growing food in space is now a real possibility, with experimental gardens producing small amounts of fresh vegetables. Meals are an important morale boost during long missions.
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