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Space food

Astronauts have historically eaten dehydrated and freeze-dried foods on space missions that were compact and lightweight. Early missions like Mercury used bite-sized cubes and powders stored in aluminum tubes. Gemini introduced gelatin-coated cubes and improved plastic packaging. Apollo introduced wet-pack pouches that retained moisture. Skylab had appliances like freezers and warmers. The Space Shuttle and ISS expanded food variety and quality with options like frozen and refrigerated meals. Water is precious in space since launching supplies is expensive, so recycling urine and other wastewater is necessary for long missions like to Mars.

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USC • What foods do youWhat foods do you think astronautsthink astronauts each in space?each in space? • Has it always beenHas it always been the same type ofthe same type of food / same type offood / same type of packing through thepacking through the history of mannedhistory of manned space flight?space flight?
USC Background - History of Space Foods • MercuryMercury:: compressedcompressed and dehydrated bite-sizedand dehydrated bite-sized cubes, freeze-dried powders,cubes, freeze-dried powders, and semi-liquids stuffed inand semi-liquids stuffed in aluminum tubes.aluminum tubes. ((ShownShown: mushroom, soup, beverage,: mushroom, soup, beverage, pineapple juice, chicken pears, strawberries,pineapple juice, chicken pears, strawberries, beef and vegetables, etc.)beef and vegetables, etc.) *(Figure 1 & Figure 2: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th , 2009)
USC Background - History of Space Foods • GeminiGemini:: bite-sized cubesbite-sized cubes were coated with gelatin to reducewere coated with gelatin to reduce crumbling, and the freeze-driedcrumbling, and the freeze-dried foods were encased in a specialfoods were encased in a special plastic containers to improveplastic containers to improve packaging, hence improvingpackaging, hence improving overall food quality, flavor,overall food quality, flavor, moisture content, and spoilage.moisture content, and spoilage. • Improved menu to include: grapes,Improved menu to include: grapes, beef stew, turkey, rice withbeef stew, turkey, rice with chicken, chocolate cubes, etc.chicken, chocolate cubes, etc. • More variety andMore variety and improved packaging!!improved packaging!! ((ShownShown: wrapped in cellophane, an airtight: wrapped in cellophane, an airtight and waterproof sealant used to wrapand waterproof sealant used to wrap everyday poultry products)everyday poultry products) *(Figure 3: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th , 2009)
USC Background - History of Space Foods • ApolloApollo:: new packaging method, wet-pack or thermostabilized flexiblenew packaging method, wet-pack or thermostabilized flexible pouch which retained water content. Astronauts could see and smell whatpouch which retained water content. Astronauts could see and smell what they were eating as well as eat with a spoon for the first time in space.they were eating as well as eat with a spoon for the first time in space. • Menu included: coffee, bacon squares, cornflakes, scrambled eggs, cheeseMenu included: coffee, bacon squares, cornflakes, scrambled eggs, cheese crackers, beef sandwich, chocolate pudding, tuna salad, peanut butter, etc.crackers, beef sandwich, chocolate pudding, tuna salad, peanut butter, etc. • More variety and improved packaging!!More variety and improved packaging!! *(Figure 4 & Figure 5: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th , 2009)
USC Background - History of Space Foods • SkylabSkylab:: the Skylabthe Skylab laboratory had a freezer,laboratory had a freezer, refrigerator, warming trays, and arefrigerator, warming trays, and a table, just like at home.table, just like at home. – Compartmentalized foodCompartmentalized food tray!!tray!! • Space ShuttleSpace Shuttle:: FoodFood variety expanded to 74 differentvariety expanded to 74 different kinds of food and 20 kinds ofkinds of food and 20 kinds of beverages.beverages. – Personalize menu basedPersonalize menu based on own needs andon own needs and wants!!wants!! – VelcroVelcro *(Figure 6: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th , 2009)
USC Background - History of Space Foods • ISSISS:: primarily,primarily, most foods are frozen, refrigerated, or thermostabilizedmost foods are frozen, refrigerated, or thermostabilized and will not require the addition of water before consumption. Station crewsand will not require the addition of water before consumption. Station crews have more than 250 food and beverage items they can select from the U.S.have more than 250 food and beverage items they can select from the U.S. and Russian food systems.and Russian food systems. • Foil and plastic laminate to provide for a longer product shelf lifeFoil and plastic laminate to provide for a longer product shelf life • More variety and improved packaging!!More variety and improved packaging!! *(Figure 7 & Figure 8: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th , 2009)
USC • Let’s look at some of these things….Let’s look at some of these things…. in personin person
USC Wash Your Hands Before You Eat
USC Eating on the Space Station
USC Dessert in Space
USC What do you think are in these bags?
USC Water in Space
USC WATER • RationingRationing • RecyclingRecycling • Why? $10,000 per pound to launchWhy? $10,000 per pound to launch • How much to launch one gallon of water?How much to launch one gallon of water? • How much water would you need to goHow much water would you need to go Mars? (The trip is 3 years one way)Mars? (The trip is 3 years one way)
USC What types of water will be recycled?What types of water will be recycled? • SweatSweat • RespirationRespiration • Urine, yes urine !!!Urine, yes urine !!! • ShowerShower • Animals and HumansAnimals and Humans • WHAT ???WHAT ???
USC ECLSS – currently aboard ISS Recycles water
USC Questions?