What do astronauts eat in space?

Text: Guido Schwarz 2022/12/20

A menu on NASA’s Gemini 3 mission in 1965: dehydrated roast beef, bacon and egg snacks, toasted bread cubes and orange juice. © Nasa

“The first humans in space in the 1960s ate bite-sized cubes as well as freeze-dried powders and pastes filled into aluminum tubes. This didn’t taste very good, but the missions usually lasted only a few days.

Today, menus are adapted to individual tastes, and gourmet chefs are often behind the varied creations. During space station stays lasting several months, good food contributes significantly to the positive mood.

The menus are heated in pouches before consumption. They are supplemented with freeze-dried food or coffee, to which hot water is added, similar to instant coffee. Snacks include nuts, dried fruits and energy bars. And when a new shipment arrives on the International Space Station (ISS) or when plants are being raised in the laboratory in Earth’s orbit, there is even fresh fruit and vegetables.”

About the Person

Guido Schwarz works as a communications and outreach expert for the NCCR PlanetS. He has been involved in space travel and space research for over 30 years and regularly appears in the media as an expert.

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