What Astronauts Eat In Space Station: List Of Foods That Went To Space In History

What Astronauts Eat In Space Station: Eating food in space is not like eating on Earth. There is no gravity, so food can float and make a mess. That’s why astronauts eat special meals that are packed in tubes, pouches, or vacuum-sealed containers. The journey of space food started in 1961, when Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, ate pureed meat and applesauce from toothpaste-like tubes. In early American missions like Mercury and Gemini, astronauts ate small bite-sized cubes, powdered soups, and liquids. These were easy to eat and safe in zero gravity, where even a tiny crumb could damage the spacecraft.

As time passed, food in space has improved a lot. Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) can eat a wide variety of meals like rice, pasta, soups, fruits and even desserts. NASA now offers more than 100 options for its crew members. Similarly, India is also making big progress in space missions and food technology.

Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Take Gajar Ka Halwa And More To Space

In a recent development, ISRO astronaut Shibhanshu Shukla became part of an exciting milestone in the SpaceX-ISRO Ax-4 mission. During a space trial, he is going to take some delicious Indian dishes like Gajar Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa, Steamed Rice and Aamras to the space station. These dishes were made using a special freeze-drying method that keeps the food fresh and safe to eat in zero gravity. However, space X -ISRO Ax-4 mission had been halted for some time due to a liquid oxygen leak in the craft, and it is rescheduled for 30 June 2025.

This is a proud moment for India, as astronauts like Shibhanshu Shukla can now enjoy the taste of home while working far away in space. These familiar flavours can bring comfort, improve mood, and make long missions easier. From simple pastes in tubes to traditional Indian sweets like Gajar Ka Halwa, the journey of space food shows how science and culture can come together beautifully in space travel.

Gemini Takes These Foods To Space- Shrimp Cocktail, Chicken And More

What astronauts eat in space (Image: NASA)

By the Gemini Era, food packaging had advanced; astronauts could pick from shrimp cocktail, chicken and vegetables, and butterscotch pudding, and "gelatin-coated" cubes and sealed containers minimised mess. More appetising rehydrated meals, such as soups and stews served in "spoon-bowl" packs, were made possible by the Apollo program's addition of hot water on board.

What Foods Apollo mission took into space?

The Apollo missions carried various kinds of foods to space, including some commercially available foods as well as freeze-dried and rehydratable foods. These consisted of things like pudding, beef hash, and chicken and rice. NASA nutritionists meticulously planned and prepared meals.

Skylab & Space Shuttle Foods In Space

Skylab and the Space Shuttle missions featured a variety of foods, including thermostabilized foods like retort pouch foods and canned foods, as well as rehydratable foods like soups, cereals and breakfast foods. Additionally, they carried condiments like mayonnaise and liquid salt and pepper, as well as natural and semi-dried foods like biscuits and snacks. The Space Shuttle used a system of trays, utensils, and heating devices to prepare and serve meals, but Skylab's menu even featured frozen treats like ice cream and lobster Newburg.

International Space Station Took Pizza To Space Station

Pizza in space (Image: NASA)

Astronauts on the ISS enjoyed a variety of foods, including pizza! In May 2001, a specially-made Pizza Hut pizza was sent to the ISS aboard a Russian Progress vehicle for Expedition 2 commander Yuri Usachov, bringing a taste of home to space and marking a unique culinary moment in space history.

Current Menu Of Space Foods

Reflecting the tastes of the international crew, the menu at the International Space Station today offers more than 100 options, ranging from ramen, curry, and sushi to vegetables, fruit, and desserts. The dulling of scent and taste brought on by microgravity fluid shifts is countered by condiments like ketchup, mustard, Tabasco, wasabi and sriracha. In addition to just-in-time fresh produce flown up and consumed within days, astronauts continue to consume rehydratable, thermostabilized, irradiated, and intermediate-moisture foods. Grow-your-own vegetables are another innovation: crew members can now enjoy fresh greens thanks to the successful harvesting of radishes and red romaine lettuce in orbit.

5 Famous Food Moments in Space

1. On Gemini 3 in 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young smuggled a corned beef sandwich onto the spacecraft. This historic moment marked one of the first instances of unauthorised food in space.

2. During the Apollo 11 mission, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin enjoyed a meal that included bacon cubes as part of their first meal on the moon's surface.

3. In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to eat in space. He consumed a tube of puréed meat and chocolate sauce.

4. On the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, astronaut Sally Ride enjoyed fresh fruit and granola bars, showcasing the variety of food options available on the Space Shuttle.

5. Astronauts on the International Space Station have celebrated Thanksgiving with special meals, including turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, highlighting the importance of holidays in space.

NASA’s Food Costing in Space

Space food costing (Image: NASA)

Food costs in space are significantly higher than on Earth due to the challenges of preparation, packaging, and transportation. NASA’s Space Food Systems Lab spends over six months testing each dish at $100 per meal packet, while ISRO has not disclosed its costs yet. Astronauts receive three balanced meals plus snacks per day. A supplemental food supply is also included for potential emergencies. This high cost reflects the rigorous testing required to ensure the food is safe, nutritious, and palatable for long-duration missions, potentially lasting up to five years, according to NASA.