FORMULA DIETS WOULD be “extremely desirable” as space food. This is what the Man in Space Committee of the now-defunct Space Science Board of the US concluded in 1963 after studying the topic of ‘nutrition and feeding problems’. “In many parts of the world, the people subsist on a monotonous diet... with no apparent ill effects,” the committee said. “Since highly motivated individuals are chosen for... space flights, it is unlikely that they would object to the monotony of a formula diet....”
The committee’s idea of formula diet had obviously not found takers, because Project Gemini (first flight: 1964) had, according to a NASA document, grape and orange drinks, cinnamon toasted bread cubes, turkey bites, apple sauce, cream of chicken soup, shrimp cocktail, beef stew, and chicken and rice!
Today space food is used by nations as a way to share (and show off) their cultural identity. Sunita Williams is known for celebrating her cultural heritage by taking samosas and Slovenian sausages to the cosmos (she has a Slovene-American mother). While variety is welcome, the non-negotiables of space food have remain unchanged over the years.
“One of the primary considerations in preparing space food is its nutritional content,” said Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which designs and launches small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems. “Astronauts require a balanced diet that provides all essential nutrients to maintain their health and performance.” Kesan, who has worked closely with a number of astronauts and cosmonauts, said the menus are designed to include a variety of foods that supply the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. “This includes fruits, vegetables, meats and grains, all tailored to meet the specific dietary needs of each astronaut.”
Meals are typically freeze-dried or thermostabilised to preserve their shelf life and nutritional content. Freeze-drying removes moisture, which prevents spoilage and reduces weight. Thermostabilisation involves heating the food to destroy bacteria and enzymes that could cause spoilage. These processes ensure that the food remains safe to eat for extended periods.
In addition to nutritional balance, the food must be palatable and easy to eat in microgravity. “Foods that produce crumbs or have a lot of liquid are avoided because they can float away and interfere with the spacecraft’s equipment,” said Kesan. “Instead, meals are often packaged in vacuum-sealed pouches or cans. Astronauts can rehydrate freeze-dried foods by adding water.”
All space food undergoes rigorous testing for microbial contamination and spoilage. The packaging is designed to withstand the rigours of space travel, including changes in pressure and temperature. Additionally, food must be easy to prepare with limited resources―the ISS has only a small convection oven and an induction oven.
“Maintaining the sense of taste is another challenge,” said Kesan. “Microgravity can dull taste buds. So space food is often more heavily seasoned than its counterparts on earth. This helps ensure that astronauts continue to enjoy meals and consume enough calories to stay healthy.”
Defence and aerospace analyst Girish Linganna says space food serves multiple purposes. “It not only provides astronauts with the necessary nutrients, but also helps reduce stress and boost morale,” he said. To avoid electrical issues, he said, sealed food packages must include spouts and straws to prevent liquids from spilling. “Ready-to-eat foods should be thickened to prevent them from spreading in the air,” he said. “To keep the air clean, food should not create any powder and food with strong or unusual odours are not suitable for space.”
Nowadays, special requests have become commonplace, including pizza and ice cream. Cosmonauts, too, enjoy a variety of traditional dishes such as borscht, beef tongue and cottage cheese.
Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory, which had developed mango bars for Rakesh Sharma, has been working on developing food for gaganauts. Looking at the menu (see box), it is clear that the DFRL has gone all out to ensure that gaganauts can taste familiar flavours even in the vastness of space.
THE MENU FOR GAGANAUTS
BREAKFAST OPTIONS
Idli
Upma
Aloo paratha
Sooji halwa
MAIN COURSE OPTIONS
Vegetable/chicken biryani
Vegetable/chicken pulao
Dal/sambar/rajma chawal
Khichdi
Chicken korma
Chapati
SNACKS AND SWEETS
Veg/chicken/egg katti roll
Chikki
Nuts
Moong dal halwa
CONDIMENTS
Garlic pickle
Mango pickle
Tomato sauce
HOT BEVERAGES
Instant tea and coffee mixes (to be heated with food warmers)
―Girish Linganna