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Call for questions: SPACE FOOD (Patreon)

Published:
2025-10-09 21:51:38
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Astronauts need to eat, and it turns out that making food that’s safe, nutritious, and tasty in space is not easy. Next week I'm interviewing a scientist who researches space food. How does taste and smell transform in weightlessness? What cooking equipment is used in zero gravity? What cultural considerations are taken when creating menus? Do astronauts really eat freeze-dried Neapolitan ice cream? Post your questions in the comments!

Deadline: Sunday, October 12 at 5pm PST

Files

Comments

Jamie

Ahhh such a cool niche topic!! Can’t wait for this

HC Cummings

Has there ever been a vegan person in space before ? If so how did their meals differ or would it not be an issue ?

CandL

Are food allergies/intolerances a disqualifying disability for astronauts?

Ashley Buford

How long does space food last? Also, what are options for vegan or vegetarian meals?

zoe stuart

what is the first food they brought/tried to bring to space?

Matt Ceccato

How many calories does a space citizen need to consume daily?

Amesia Doles

Is any of the space food actually delicious? Or is it more function over fashion?

Colby Evans

The Expanse gives a lot of page time to bulbs of coffee - is that already a thing?

Abigail Bartell

What’s the first Earth food you grab when you come back down?

Will Clark

Did astronauts really drink tang?

Anastasia Press

What happens when astronauts have dietary restrictions? Can they get special vegan or GF space food?

Pseudonym Jones IV

Are there any foods that are forbidden in the ISS? Durians?

Rachel Guthrie

Is your taste or smell permanently changed after going into space, or does it return to normal eventually?

manatee lover

dippin dots… do they count… or do they just feel like earth-space food

Em

Does the freeze drying and rehydration (if applicable) of some space foods cause them to lose nutritional value?

Nathan Pagsisihan

does space food have less calories than real food? like space ice cream sandwiches vs regular ice cream sandwiches 😅

Anastasia Press

When/how was it decided that space food needs to be tasty as well as functional? I'm imagining the first iterations of space food to be purely utilitarian

Terriermind

I’m new! And this podcast enriches my neurodivergent brain that is addicted to learning. I will be a first time question asker so I will think of a good one and comment it within 24 hrs!

Jacob Elsbree

How do we know how much water to pack? Water is so heavy, how is it packed when weight is a factor in liftoffs? Is water recycled on long missions? How are these factors being considered for super long missions of the future, for example, a mission to mars where water is famously scarce?

Anastasia Press

What foods do astronauts crave when they're in space?

ZestyTurnip

Are astronauts' nutritional needs different when in space vs on earth?

Anastasia Press

If astronauts crave space food when they're back on Earth, can they get any? Or do they just have to live with the blissful memories of space food forever?

Pseudonym Jones IV

Are astronauts granted the time and space to truly savor their repast?

CurtisDawg

Do you still drink Tang?

Seán Thomas Kane

Can electric or gas stovetops be used in Space? If not are there substitute cooking surfaces that are used to bring water to a boil, heat up sauces, etc.?

Clayton Rudiger

Ooh can you talk about the guy whose job it is to smell food before it gets approved for space?

Kristina Weaver

How does the lack of gravity affect processes like chewing, swallowing, and digestion? How are food designed to compensate for any issues?

Rachel Baer

Does food feel different in your stomach in space? Does it feel like it's just floating around in there?

Erin Maurelli

Are items that rely on air to be enjoyable just out? Like cake, whipped cream and popcorn. Also, it looks like a lot of “Girl Dinner.” Will there be cheese?

Rachel Baer

Are there international differences in space food?

Tony Vessels

Is the astronaut ice we normies buy at the grocery store/gift shops/sports events actually the same thing that astronauts get? Seems kinda fishy to me...

Carlos Ariza

How long until we have farms on the moon?

Sher Kelz

Do the astronauts get the chance to bake in space? Or do bake goods have to be premade and sent up?

Tony Vessels

Does the kind of food astronauts eat while in space affect their digestive systems differently than eating regular food on the ground? How do they take that into account when coming up with the menus?

Katrina

Is it similar to MREs (minus the funky heating insert)? Are the nutrients spread out across different foods, like with MREs? (I seem to recall you could get 100% of your vitamin C from peanut butter and hot chocolate mix, among other odd combos.) How do they heat food in space? Microwave? That would probably interfere with some sensitive equipment or something, right? I've heard the space station air is a bit fragrant as it is. Are foods formulated for lower flatulance? How do meals from different countries compare to American astronaut food? How often do visitors to the space station get fresh fruit and vegetables, if ever? Have they ever grown food that they were allowed to eat, or was it all for experimentation and they had to just collect samples and make measurements? And, yes, please, Ali, tell us about so-called "astronaut ice cream". I remember it being both hideous and delicious, but probably not authentic. PS: TANG?

Agegamon

How often do food choices change, and to what extent can astronauts request specific foods? Is there a notorious "favorite" and "least favorite" space food?

Sara Johnston

Space can be harsh on the body with the lack of gravity, higher levels of radiation, etc. Do you have to think about what additives or vitamins go into astronauts diets to combat the effects of the environment? Do the astronauts get recommended meal plans to make sure they’re getting the right amount of nutrients or are they taking supplements?

CurtisDawg

Crummy food. How do you keep crumbs from getting into everything? I mean, who doesn't want cheese & crackers as a midnight snack?

Tony Vessels

Have there been cases of astronauts returning to earth and then having their tastes be completely different than when they left? Like, they come back and now they hate a food that they used to love or vice versa? If so, what causes that?

Sher Kelz

Are the differences in cooking that we have at high altitudes something that might inform on cooking in space?

Steve Prosterman

I remember eating "Space Bars" the first individual wrapped snack foods, also cheese whiz! How fun!

Lizzy Martinez

Has anyone tried to grow potatoes in the ISS kind of like Matt Damon's character does in the movie The Martian? (Obviously no open flames)

Dave Brewer

Coincidentally, I’m rewatching “The Martian.” 1. How accurate is their portrayal of the food actually sent to space? 2. Could food be grown on Mars the way it’s shown in the movie?

John Hazlett

How does the lack of gravity affect metabolic processes in the body? Specifically does gravity play a part in digestion?

Chuck Meriam

Are seasonings allowed in space to spice up space food, or are they a particulate hazard?

Jenna Congdon

Did you plan a "last earth dinner" before your trip knowing that you'd be stuck with astronaut food for a while? What did you eat? Or, what were you most excited to eat when you got back home?

CurtisDawg

Can astronauts dip their cookies into milk up there?

Megan R

How big is the space food industry, and how does it compare in price to non-space foods. Like, I know dehydrated foods are more expensive because of the time it takes to make them. Is that the same case with space foods?

Agegamon

How do they make things hot? Do they have microwaves, chemical heat (hand-warmer style), induction heaters, a regular old electric hob?

Tony Vessels

Do people ever sneak something up there that they really shouldn't have? If so, whaaaaaAaAAaAt happened?

Quincey Robisheaux

How close are we to edible goop that fulfills our nutritional needs

CasualCatLady

Are there ways to heat the food or is it always cold? Is there a certain nutrient that’s of particular concern when they’re up in space?

Dave Brewer

When I was a kid there was a snack called Space Food Sticks. Have you tried them? If so, how do they compare with what is eaten in space?

Tari Lee Johnson

I visited Houston Space center (fabulous) where there was information about the differences in food safety in space vs earth. Space food needs to have much lower microbial counts, if I am remembering correctly. Please discuss if this is true and how the research was done.

MJ

Hi there! First-time question-asker! Are astronauts packed specialized food for allergies, religious purposes, vegetarianism, etc? Or is it just "too bad so sad" for these guys?

Elta Sparks

What's the deal with astronaut ice cream? Is the stuff you can buy at target the same as what they eat in space?

Tari Lee Johnson

Is a different level of fiber required when in space?

Agegamon

How does packaging for zero-g and for not spilling affect what foods can or can't go up to space? Do messy things like chips get turned down, or do astronauts get them and just have to be super careful not to lose any?

Sunflower star

Do different countries or teams have different space foods for their cultural taste or is it all pretty much the same? How much of the freeze dried or preserved food we can get in a grocery store attributable to space food / research? (Was freeze dried stuff developed primarily for this use case?) How common is it for them to be able to do some hydroponic gardening and grow some fresh lettuces or food? I remember reading something about research being done on hydroponic systems and lighting, and it being helpful for mental health also.

A Laura Borealis

Do you have to get used to eating space food, like ease into it, before going into space?

Erin Dewberry

What is the most requested food that you cannot provide?

A Laura Borealis

Are there foods that are easier to make space food? What are their common properties?

Erin Dewberry

Is there anything completely off limits?

CaffeineJunkie

When they tried to bake cookies on the ISS, the astronauts were not allowed to eat the results. It’s unclear if it was related to the risk of bacteria/contamination. If so, what are some of the ways we are supporting cooking in space while staying safe?

Leanna Shuster

Is it really true that any small stray crumb of food could cause significant safety issues or damage to a spacecraft?

joshua.yyz

I looked up how much environmental exposure to radiation is in Low Earth Orbit and found out that it can be 1 millisievert per day, which is quite a bit. Can Ionizing radiation affect the nutrient quality of food and if so, what's done to preserve the food from from that degradation?

Feylin

I know they experiment with plants and hydroponics - can you eat the food grown or is it at risk for microbes?

brucatini

Why is freeze dried ice cream SO GOOD

David

What's the most obscure space food so far?

Leanna Shuster

Is the nutritional balance needed in daily meals different in zero G compared to on Earth? Like are some nutrients absorbed differently under low gravity and would that necessitate different types of ingredients or food preparations to ensure that astronauts are getting the nutrients they need to survive?

Odysimus (oh-dis-eh-mus)

FTQA - What are the weirdest cravings that have been satisfied? Or what are the weirdest stories of food being made for space? I have heard of contractors having to re-allocate workers to produce different foods on short notice for NASA, often shrimp cocktail.

Leanna Shuster

I've heard anecdotes of astronauts somehow managing to smuggle unapproved food items onboard a spacecraft. Are any of these stories actually true, and if so, what sorts of food items have actually been in space against agency regulations?

zombot

Recently I saw a video of someone floating in microgravity (I assume they were in outer space) sipping liquid from a "cup." It wasn't a sealed plastic bag like you'd expect. It was an open container, possibly ceramic, that had a peculiar shape. How do I put this... it looked like "lady parts." Do you know what this is called? More importantly, how does it hold liquid in a weightless environment? Most importantly... why is it shaped like that??

Charlotte Short

Has space food inspired any commercially available products?

Jessie Cole

I heard it smells like farts and b.o. on the ISS. Is burping really a no-no due to barfing? How do they help keep people less gassy? Has there ever been a food poisoning incident? Tell me all, please

Chrissi

First-Time-Question-Asker :) How does being up there affect the sense of taste? (Yes, I‘m talking tomato juice on planes). Altitude & pressure, gravity, relative humidity, air quality, all those things.

Yuri

Has nasa invested in any long term studies for the effects of whole foods with all their benefits we may not even know of yet, vs the more highly processed foods that may meet what nutrional needs we know of so far, but may be missing key components for long term space travel? Is there any push for nutritionally dense safe non perishable foods, vs tang and cheesewiz type stuff?

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

So where DID astronaut ice cream come from? Is it based on anything real? Or is it just a weird marketing ploy by Big Freeze Dried Food? 😂 Either way I find it weirdly delicious!

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

Have any foods developed for astronauts/space made its way into mainstream supermarkets? If so, what are they? Are there any “space foods” that you wish you could get on the reg at your local grocery store?

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

What is the most delicious space food you’ve eaten? What is the gnarliest?

Colby Evans

Seems to me like the astronauts would have a menu set for them in the days leading up... but dunno

Lisa Fleming

I worked in one of the biggest freeze dry plants in the world about 20 years ago(in Oregon) in the packaging department. The freeze dried desserts are so good!! What is your favorite food to eat in space?

winn

what if u throw up?

Jeff Goodhartz

On a 7 to 10 month trip to Mars will all the food be carried along or will some of it be produced in flight?

Nicky G

Referencing one of my favorite fictional stories - The Martian by Andy Weir - could someone really create usable soil to cultivate edible plants on another planet?! I realize hydroponics are available, but what about space farming?

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

What is the manufacturing situation? Does each country have their own space food manufacturer, or is there a central company that services all foods? How are space foods regulated/quality controlled? As in, does the FDA have control the same way they do Earth food? An E. coli or salmonella situation I would imagine would be pretty devastating. What are the protocols in the event of a situation like that? Or is food contamination not a thing because of the way it is prepared? (Sorry that was like 10 questions at once but they’re all built on each other haha)

mish the fish

why can't we buy space food at the store? i'm autistic and have food issues so i feel like space meals could be an option for me to feed myself

Bopie

What goes in must come out; so my question is, does the amount and type of waste created go into consideration of food avaiable? i.e. no bean or cabbage based meal items.

Marla J

When I was a kid in the 60's we used to have all kinds of weird space foods that were supposed to have been what the astronauts ate - like "space sticks", and of course Tang. Is there any truth in that or was it just a marketing thing.

Marla J

How different is space food from the kind of freeze dried meals backpackers eat?

Staci Pinkowitz

What happens to all the plastic and packaging?

Kelly Shaver

Do they consider the solid waste output when creating meals?

Kelly Shaver

Does the human gastrointestinal system function differently in space?

Kelly Shaver

Does each national space agency handle their own astronauts’ meals and if so, which countries have the best food?

Michelle Helpling

Do astronauts have to adjust their diet to help prevent muscle loss?

Kelly Shaver

I’ve heard that they can’t do bread because of crumbs and stability so they use tortillas instead. Is that true?

Kelly Shaver

Seasonings…is it true that astronauts get liquid salt and pepper and stuff Iike that?

Kelly Shaver

Is there an effort to use foods that don’t require water to make because of the limited supply?

Cameron Weller

Is there a strict rotation or schedule for different meals/food, or does the crew tend to put off eating less favorable options?

Claire Gebben

How far in advance do they have to prep the meals and how long do they last? How do they plan for emergencies like when the one astronauts were stuck there for longer?

Evelyn Uyemura

Kind of sideways to the question, but what happens in space if you have to vomit or, forgive me, if you have diarrhea?

ReigningEmily

The tour guide at the place where they make Tabasco said that Tabasco is the highest requested thing for astronauts. Is that true or just marketing lies?

Liv Cazzola

For me, texture (ex. Crunchy, chewy) is almost more important than flavour. What sort of varieties of textures are you able to achieve with space food?

TheCole

When choosing food for a space mission, do you start with the nutritional requirements and work backwards to what foods will meet that, or do you start with foods you know travel well and mix and match until you hit that goal. Also, do the astronauts get any say in the menu? Having a meal be your least favorite food couldn't be great for morale. Do psychologists weigh in, since food can influence mood and emotions?

Rineil Mandre

Is there a chewing device as exercise for jaw muscles?

Emma

Will food left out (a stray crumb floating in a space stations parhaps) get moldy?

Emma

Any plans/attempts at growing crops in space? Cosmic carrots? Microgravity microgreens?

Sonjabird

I have multiple questions: What kind of techniques do you employ to make the food appetizing to the astronauts? I imagine that eating roast beef in a paste could be pretty off putting. Do the astronauts need to practice eating the food before going up in space to be sure they can handle it without getting massive runs? Can the space program accommodate folks with dietary restrictions like gluten free or vegan/vegetarian?

Warlock Fulltime

First time question fella. As a human for whom eating is sometimes the most annoying task my clumsy flesh vessel requires and will subsist on various gruels. Do any astronauts (or space programs) opt for this and have any astro/cosmonauts been particularly picky eaters? Also, how far are we from a food pill I can just swallow x times a day and be done with it?

Lisa Gorman

What is a typical space meal like?

Lisa Gorman

Are nutritional requirements different in space at all, e.g. changes in fiber or protein needs?

Piper Warnick

Do astronauts giggle over the coffee cups designed to be able to drink in zero g that look suggestively like human anatomy? 🌮🌷

Michael Crosa

There’s that old story (which I think is flim flam) about how the US spent millions to make a space pen when the Russians just used a pencil. Are there any moments of space food science in which an answer was deceptively simple?

Sleepy John

yes. because graphite particles floating in a pure-oxygen atmosphere isn’t hazardous at all.

Sleepy John

How do they handle food allergies? If it turns out someone has a peanut allergy and someone comes on board with a bag of trail mix in their supplies?

Storm

is it difficult to eat? i imagine without gravity food could go everywhere!

Storm

do astronauts get to chose a meal plan before going up?? like get given a menu and pick your faves haha

Storm

how much different is it from earth food?!

Dylan V

So i have thought about this a lot as a baker. If I were to bake a sourdough loaf in space, it would just become a perfect sphere of bread, right?! That sounds so fun.

Michael Crosa

Yes! I second this question. Is that plot point any level of plausible?

Anthony Richards

I have a shitty question. It seems like, on earth, gravity helps our food pass from our mouth to our rear end,so does a gravity free environment impede digestion?

Nicky G

Oooh this is a GREAT question!

Ettegoom

I read that the pooping part is complicated because of the lack of gravity - Mary Roach wrote about it in EITHER Packing for Mars, or Gulp

Ettegoom

hang on, what!?

Ettegoom

Given that smell is such an important aspect of taste (ask anyone who got anosmia during covid infection), and smell requires molecules to be dissolved in liquid, and that in space they kinda try to stop having any particles of any type floating around anywhere... how do you make the food taste like anything? or is it just the blandest thing ever, and how do you make that appetising? Especially seeing as it also doesn't seem to be particularly textured either...

Ettegoom

It seems like space things are incredibly terrible for the environment in all possible ways... this is a good question!

Ettegoom

Thirding this question...

Meaghan Ratcliffe

ok i’m sorry but i have to ask this: does space food give you weird poops?? i feel like it would

Ettegoom

How do you ensure that the food has enough fibre in it to keep things moving? I feel like the times that I've had to live on a diet of highly processed food, my digestion slows down in uncomfortable ways. Are there ingredients that you need to leave out to prevent unwanted gas production or do you have some kind of magic (eg. psyllium) ingredient so that things move properly and people don't end up in that kind of situation (or do they just make it so that you can't go to space if you have IBS?)

SmoothKriminal

How do people drink coffee in space? Is it instant? Do they brew it? Is it freeze dried? Is it good???

Rebecca Morrison

Is eating space food included in astronaut training programs? Is it something they have to get acclimated to or could anyone just start eating space food?

Katie Hammond

Are there food innovations that happened when creating space food that are now used Earthside?

Empress of Smallwood

Are there any spacefoods that people like so much they eat them when they aren't in space?

Empress of Smallwood

I know people can be kept alive pretty much indefinitely on TPN (total parenteral nutrition) via an IV. Why is that not just done in space? Seems like it would be easier to hook up to an IV and get what you need than it would be to manufacture so many different types of space food.

Cedar

Can you be vegan in space? Are there enough plant based astronaut options?

Lee L

What earth food do you miss the most in space? What’s the thing you want to eat after returning?

Lee L

Did training include eating space food? For how long?

Piper Warnick

I just looked up the official name, it's the Capillary Cup. It's both a little bit suggestive looking but also really cool in the way it works!

Jacob Morvay

What stops astronauts from harvesting basic greens on the international space station? Do we know how to grow food in space or do we need to bring all of the food with us that we will eat?

Lynette Dávila

Do they have to drink extra water because so many things are dried?

Lynette Dávila

I think you need eating to function. Like the act of eating is important mental wise.

Kira Collins

What is an example of lack of research about space food gone wrong?

Renee Wanger

what are differences between preserving food and making food for space? what are the most surprising space food discoveries that have made their way into our normal eating innovations?

Honeydew

Do they do a trial period of the foods with the astronauts before the voyage to ensure there are no adverse reactions to the meal plan?

Jack Moore

Are your taste buds affected in space? And if so, how different does the taste of space food compare on earth?

Honeydew

Is there a dedicated area in the aircraft for eating/ is food getting in certain parts of the aircraft a concern?

Bahdi_Phat

We've heard that the air in an airplane affects how things taste. How does the air in the Space Station compare to an airplane, or Earth surface air? And how does that affect how things taste?

Bahdi_Phat

I remember how the spaceship food looked in 2001: A space Odyssey; basically thick stuff, maybe the consistency of mashed potatoes. Would you just need more room to have food in trays like that? Is room the constraint?

Lauren Poliquin

Do RDAS for protein/carbs change in space based on muscle usage and change in gravity, and if so, how are foods prepared to reflect changed nutrition requirements?

Sarah Chaney

Are the stories about Sriracha sauce true? Do astronauts enjoy the cock sauce in space? What, if any, food items or condiments can they bring with them to spice up those freeze dried MREs that we all imagine?

Lauren Conner

Do proteins, fats, sugars, calories, etc convert differently in bodies in space than they do on Earth?

Mollogies

Are there certain foods they avoid because of being in space? (Allergies excluded.) Perhaps beans? Because farting in space seems like quite the ordeal…

Paul Alcantra

Has the research of space food yielded any nutrient-rich foods that can be used to mitigate world hunger?

Arami Farias

I want ask how consuming space food feels different, since I assume our body is often relying on gravity for food to follow the right path

Empress of Smallwood

I could totally see that. Or maybe for the importance of the body remembering how to chew and swallow properly?

Andy Pepper

My partner Brian asked: what kind of preservatives need to be in it?

Andy Pepper

Are zero G digestive needs taken into account? Like does the GI tract move differently in space?

Andy Pepper

Is easy cleanup taken into account? Asking for a friend who spills all the time. 😂

Andy Pepper

Obviously new stuff is tested on the ground first—are there discernible differences between how food is on the ground vs. in space?

Erin White

I know that they made a special cup for space espresso that actually works like a cup to help keep the astronauts from being sad as they drank espresso capri suns. How the heck does that thing work if all the other liquids have to be in a bag?

Kim

Is it all just saucy to avoid crumbs destroying the spacecrafts like I imagine or are there different textures and is avoiding crumbs actually as important as I think it is?

Gabija Šimaitytė

First time question asker here! > Is there a future in which we get cultured products with bacterial strains that are going to get discovered because they thrive in extraterrestrial conditions? > How are necessary nutrients decided, and whose job is it? A nutritionist's, a medical dietitian's, a biologist's, all of them, a secret fifth option? > How much of the nutrition is in the food naturally, how much is added, and how much is supplied via non-foods, like supplement pills? Is everyone in space taking vitamin D supplements? > How do spacefolk deal with dehydration? Is that more of an issue than on Earth? > How common are upset tummies in space, what with all that increased gut permeability? How do they deal with it? > I see Alie's going to ask about cultural considerations, but what about personal preferences? I've read a study claiming that subjective enjoyment is a contributing factor in how much nutrition a body can get out of a food. Plus, enjoyment is a factor in mental health, too. > How different are the food technologies for current astronauts, in comparison to the space race era folks? What about the diets themselves? > Can you re-heat/re-pack/re-seal space food, or is it like frozen stuff on Earth - once it's gone to "room temp", re-freezing is forbidden? > What if you're a slob in space? How do you clean up a spillage? > Does food that's been floating around spoil? WHAT ABOUT THE 5 SECOND RULE????? > How much spare food do astronauts get sent out with? > How much cooking is done in space? Is it just reheating?

glittertornado

What about allergies? Or water? Vegan? Vegetarian?

AnneVan

For the past 5 years, my students and I have participated in the Growing Beyond Earth program, where we test crops and growing conditions (light recipes, soil media) in a special grow unit. Our test results (and those of the other 500 schools in 49 states and around the world) help Johnson Space Center decide what should be grown on the ISS. The program is sponsored by NASA and run by the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. I highly recommend the project for 6-12 grade classrooms! https://science.nasa.gov/sciact-team/growing-beyond-earth/ https://fairchildgarden.org/science-and-education/science/gbe/

Katie Hammond

My vegan ass didn't even think of that!

Allison D

What are some fictional instances of space food done right? For example, there is kibble as a presumably low-cost, shelf-stable option in The Expanse books. While it's not described in much detail beyond color (there is a red and a white kibble), I'm curious about your thoughts on space kibble and similar options.

I was made in Canada

Does the body process space food differently from “regular” food? And related, what are the implications for oral health if all you are eating is reconstituted food rather than a variety of morsel sizes, textures, chewiness, etc? Do the teeth and tongue become weaker? Do astronauts have to do mouth exercises as well as their workouts for this reason?

Alice Rubin

Who prepares the food? Is there a special position at NASA or is there a business that is contracted to prepare the food? How long does it take to prepare meals for a month? What is the frequency of meal prep and delivery to the ISS? What are the differences between meals (variety/style/content...) between the different space programs in the ISS?

Alice Rubin

What foods lend themselves to space food? What doesn't?

Alice Rubin

What's the most popular meal? What is the grossest meal?

Alice Rubin

Can you get special meals for special occasions like birthday or last day in ISS?

Joshua Martin

Hello! First-time question asker: I have been told all my life that if you drink beer at a higher altitude, you get that whoozy drunk feeling quicker. Are you allowed to have a beer in space, for one, and do you get hammered off two sips? Thank you!

D.J. Brenner

Rose (6) wants to know why there's no liquid in "astronaut food" (the freeze-dried ones in museum gift shops).

ValBeListening

As we absorb water from food, and some (most?) space food is dehydrated, do astronauts have to consciously drink a lot more water to stay hydrated?

ValBeListening

When preparing for a mission, how much extra food is packed? Ya know just in case they end up stuck in space for a few extra months?

Empress of Smallwood

Are we growing any food in space yet or is it still all pre-made and packaged for the journey?

Mark

In the 1990s NASA requested proposals for research to make growing food in space feasible. (My proposed research was not funded at that time.). Is there any ongoing research for astronauts to grow their own food in space?

Empress of Smallwood

What are the nutritional needs in space as compared to Earth? Does the diet change over the course of the mission? Do astronauts have to save more protein for the end of the voyage to help their muscles better reacclimate when they're back on Earth? Or are they stuck eating the least favored leftover foods as they get ready to return?

CuriousNerd 🤓

I've read astronauts can become easily dehydrated due to fluid shifts, low water content of food, and alterations in the physical mechanisms of thirst- so much so that there are timers with reminders to drink water and daily water quotas for astronauts. Can you talk about hydration? How do you monitor if you are adequately hydrated? How much water comes on the vessel and how does the water cycle of a space mission work? Is the water liquid as we know it? Does a mission change your relationship to drinking water? Thank you!

Brittney Corrigan

Do our digestive systems work differently in space? If so, does space food need to be prepared differently to accommodate those changes?

Aaron Wood

How do you swallow in space?

El Pete

Do astronauts end up craving messy foods like ribs, pizza, or a big juicy hamburger?

Addison Alley

Hello, first time question asker here. How truly dangerous was Homer Simpson’s bag of chips incident in space (caution - they were ruffled!). Also, do you ever listen to the Blue Danube while you gracefully float along munching your zero G food (also à la H. Simpson)? Thanks!

midnightcat

Hello! I feel like there are many conversations happening about ultra processed food and what that does to the colon, metabolism and gut microbiome - are microbiota and fiber factored into space foods or do they want to minimize the amount of bacteria packed onto a craft? (I imagine bringing sourdough starter is not possible lol and sharing an enclosed space if everyone's really farty would be... suboptimal ).

KimberlyBimberly

Does making the food space-friendly have any effect on its nutritional value? Also, would you gain weight differently in space due to differences in gravity?

Serena Ketchum

Are you able to have iced drinks? Is there an ice maker so you can have a sweet little iced coffee while staring at the beauty of space?

Lauren Harter

Can astronauts request comfort foods, or dietary preferences like vegan/vegetarian? Also, how are nutritional needs different in space?

Yonas Kidane

I've always wondered if hiccups are a common thing without gravity helping to get the food down?

Ben and Ford

Are there any foods that are easier to eat/make in space?? What are your most and least favorite foods to eat in space?

Dr. Lina Carpenter

When I was a kid (which is way longer ago than I want to admit) I got space "ice cream" at a science museum gift shop and was profoundly disappointed. (1) Was the space food that earthlings could buy for novelty ~25 years ago food *ever* given to astronauts, or was it a gimmick to fuck with the plebs? (2) How much has space food changed in the past 25 years? When they send astronauts up, what variety of food is available for astronauts when they're stuck in space? Are meals planned out, or can folks choose out of a selection what they eat each meal? What is the WORST space food? And what is the BEST space food? What do astronauts feel most deprived by while they're up in space (like do they miss particular foods that are a no-go in space)?

CurtisDawg

Do you ever need to accommodate special dietary needs? (Veg, Vegan, Glutes, etc?)

CurtisDawg

What up with Suni and Butch? Did they have to send up extra food for them? Or is it like a deli? Pick whatever you feel like eating?

CurtisDawg

So many questions!!! Variety... How much variety is there for the long-haul astronauts? Is there a point where you say, "Geez! You have enough variety up there. Be happy you at least get freeze-dried ice cream!"?

Ranger France

Is texture considered? I just imagine it being hard to swallow and keep things down in zero gravity

Ranger France

What food/ingredients must be avoided at all costs in space?

Ranger France

Are extra vitamins and nutrients added into the food? I imagine it would be similar to stuffing vitamin pills into frozen fish to feed the penguins when i worked at a zoo

Ella Thompson

In a similar vein, how realistic is the potato growing storyline from The Martian, in terms of feasibility, nutrition, etc?

A. Ortega

A related but slightly different question is how does it feel to chew in space? (I assume some stuff is solid?! I know nothing about this) Is it harder? Easier? What happens to their jaw muscles when they come back? Are they also weaker (like with legs)?

A. Ortega

What is a “space” kitchen like? Do astronauts get to do any prep or “cooking” (anything from mixing ingredients to actually using heat)? Is there anything equivalent psychologically as a social activity (cooking for others/one-self, gathering to eat, doing sobremesa) or is eating more pragmatic? Do menus have cultural aspects to them (like main, 2nd, dessert)? What’s in a dish (is it just one packet thing or are there multiple eg for side dishes)?

Tim Barth

Do astronauts do anything interesting with the food you give them in the way they prepare it or maybe mix it together for flavor combinations? Do they get any flavorings to add to things like we have salt and pepper shakers? I know military folks do some crazy things with MREs sometimes, I'm wondering if there's anything like that.

rowantree

What does the reacclimatization diet look like?

Hac Nguyen

What do you eat in space when you’re bored or for comfort food?

Evan Wilkoff

FTQA: Do little bits of food escape and float around the station? If so, what happens to them - do they just float around and stick to priceless space experiments and eventually end up as space crumbs? Over time, does that add up to be a real problem?

Nick Reed

What are the differences between the sort of space food that NASA sends up and the kind eaten by Russian and Chinese astronauts? Are there difficulties space-ifying some sorts of cuisine (ex: super-spicy sichuan flavors, or very pickled herring, or some perfectly slimy okra) that means those can't be used?

Nick Reed

Extremely important line of questioning.

Nick Reed

Also, I would die without candy. Is there space candy?? Are hard candies, gummies, or chocolate better for space?

Nick Reed

I think Samuel Delany did those first, in science fiction! Might be someone ever earlier who I haven't read, though.

Olivier Calas

Are the scientists putting these dishes together for space consumption trained in molecular cuisine?

Olivia Ford

How do they minimize allergens and things that might cause….uh, dietary discomfort? That can’t be comfortable in space

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Are there efforts to control the amount of plastic used for space food? Seems like there would be a LOT of waste and not a lot of space for waste...in space. Also, you know, sustainability and microplastics etc

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

How much extra emergency food is brought up there? Is there a formula to balance emergency safety vs space in the shuttle (or whatever)?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Do the astronauts get any input on food choices based on their tastes? Do we know of any space station specialty surprise dishes that are creatively put together on site?

Meg Chadsey

'Meg the Seaweed Lady' here, asking on behalf of my friend & your fan 'Young Frederick' (who is for real BEST FRIENDS WITH ASTRONAUT ZENA CARDMAN, commander of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission that launched to the ISS this August!!). YF has is on good authority that tortillas are a hot commodity up there for their practicality, but isn't currently able to ask Zena if space has been giving her any weird cravings. Can you pose that one to your space food Ologist?

Emily Krieger

pardon my asking, but are cruciferous and other fart-inducing foods purposely avoided in space?

Alli B

Hello, food safety analyst here. Does the manufacturing facility for space food test for foodborne illness pathogens? Food poisoning in space sounds like something to avoid.

Alli B

Can a Twinkie go into space just as it is? How about other highly processed foods?

Alli B

Is space food rated in any way for nutritional value?

Alli B

Butter in space—is this a thing? It should be a thing.

Derek Breid

Each culture's cuisine is strongly impacted by its physical environment, including availability of ingredients, preparation tools, trading partnerships, etc. If we ever reach a point where there is a significant permanent extraterrestrial human presence, what do you think would be the defining characteristics of its cuisine?

Alli B

This!

Alli B

Please have the answer not be that it gets ejected into space.

Alli B

This one!

Ellie

Do they actually eat space ice cream in space?

Dragon Warrior

FTQA: I’m very curious about the thought that’s put into packaging. What does the process of controlling the amount of waste look like? & Where does it all end up?

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

What is the food and beverage heating/warming situation? Obvs no gas stoves. Do microwaves work in space? And if they did, are they even safe? I don’t know how much dorm life has changed but I distinctly remember the “no hot plates” warning in the student handbook — does the same apply to the ISS? How do you make coffee and/or tea?

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

I realize this may be superficial and silly, but what about treats? Sometimes you just want a piece of cake, gosh darn it! Would this be considered a “luxury” food item and therefore not offered? If there are space desserts, what options do you have, and which one is the tastiest? Are they modified at all to be more nutritionally dense? Thinking of Quest brand cookies, peanut butter cups, etc.

Small white dog

In the 1980s our elementary school canteen sold chewy bars called “space food sticks”. Related or flim flam?

Andrew McVay

How about the orange in the series Space Force that cost $10,000!? What are the biggest risks on food cost going to space?

Maren Malling

I know that hot sauce is super popular on the ISS because it adds flavor to food that might be kind of bland for the astronauts. Is space food generally made more spicy so that the astronauts can taste it?

Maren Malling

Do the astronauts get any sort of fresh fruit of vegetables on the ISS? What about the experiments with growing lettuce on board - has that actually been consumed?

Maren Malling

I heard that astronauts on the ISS are allowed to bring certain favorite foods, but under which conditions? Can they make requests?

Maren Malling

Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen brought specialty chocolate bars to the ISS on his 2023 mission. I’m curious to know more about those and especially the ingredients. Apparently, he also made chocolate mousse for his crew mates during the mission! How important do you think it is for astronauts to have snacks and treats, especially on longer missions?

Terriermind

FTQA: Have there been any recorded instances of astronauts who’ve spent extended time in space—six months or more—reporting rogue cravings or vivid dreams about foods they don’t usually crave back on Earth? I’m curious if long-duration missions can trigger unexpected shifts in taste or appetite due to psychological or neurological changes. Do tastebuds ever go on a mission of their own—suddenly reaching for flavors that are just beyond the event horizon of their usual palate?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) Does the way food tastes different on airplanes relate to it tasting different in space? Do other aspect of the environment like air pressure and ambient noise affect taste perception? 2) How is space food processed and packaged to be shelf stable? How much thought has to go into having packaging that is lightweight and won't conduct electricity if it ends up floating off into an unfortunate location? Does the food itself have to avoid certain materials too? 3) How does drying and then rehydrating food affect the taste and texture and ability to absorb nutrients from them? 4) What kind of water quality are they working with in space? (Is water being reclaimed from a waste treatment process?) Are there residual minerals or anything that affect the taste? Are foods tested with this type of water on the ground? 5) What is the tea to coffee preference ratio on the ISS? Are people brewing with tea leaves and coffee grounds or with something like tea resin to avoid the little bits of leaf or bean escaping? 6) Does the ISS have a dedicated kitchen and dining area to contain the potential danger of runaway food and drink, or can astronauts eat snacks in any locations? 7) How is food rationed and on what schedule is it delivered? How much recalculating and logistical finagling had to happen when those two astronauts were stuck up there for months longer than expected? 8) Do astronauts use particular foods as currency to barter with each other? Which ones have the highest value? 9) How much are the astronauts nutritional needs and consumption monitored? Are the foods carefully measured to hit certain macro levels? Is this adjusted to each person and their specific needs? 10) Where can we buy some to try? And for the closest experience to SPACE should we eat them on an airplane at night?

Hope

Is it just all rehydrated food or is it already hydrated and vacuum sealed? If you need to rehydrate it how do you do that? Do things taste different in space? Is space food better than MREs are?

Michelle Dowling

Hi! Do you ever mix different space food together to create new flavor experiences? If so, what is your favorite combination?

Sophia

Is it all bags of dehydrated food ready to eat? Do you have to prepare it in any way? If yes, what's the preparation like? Space toaster?? Built in air fryer?? Does it taste differently on earth compared to eating out there? Is the eating experience itself very different, like bringing it to your mouth and chewing and swallowing? Is there any way to have a little herb garden corner or would that be outrageously expensive?

Nathaniel Bouwer

Q. Given the agricultural systems and cost of launch from Earth, is it feasible to supply our advance to space from home, or is a hybrid of technlogy and ecology applied to 'in orbit farm/glasshouse' and terrformation of the inner Solar System's celestial bodies to allow life to thrive throughout our best bet for sustained growth. Given this what are the supply chains and supporting technologies necessary to complete the system; Ie. https://romer.industries 's proposed ***10000/10 Podcast, Host and Community***

MamaLuz

Ok I know I'm late here but I want to know how close are we to poop-powered potato farms in space ala The Martian?

Honeydew

How is swallowing food and beverages impacted by the lack of gravity helping it go down? How about the rest of the digestive track? How do you poop with no gravity??!!

Sarrah Turner

I’m curious to know what the most unpopular space food is amongst astronauts

Ermy

Does space food have a smell? And if so, how long would the smell linger around the space station if the food is heated up? Do you have to avoid pungent food items?

Lucas waterbody

How do they make the dining situation cosy? is it all functional or are there evenings with little floating candles or movie nights with popcorn and sleeping bags?

Victoria Bent

Is there a historical connection between MREs and space food? And how well do the creators/distributors accommodate the diversity of astronauts, or geographical preferences?

Holden A. Goose

Do they have cultural space food there? I’m imagining a space chana masala. Mmm. Real talk though, I imagine astronauts get homesick, and everyone deserves a taste of their cultural food.

Abby Grieb

Will we start growing food in space? What kind of growth conditions would be needed for zero-gravity plants? Is it even possible?

valerie miller

what are the accommodations for dietaries like coeliac disease, or even vegetarianism or religious restrictions

valerie miller

is there a way we avoid wasting a little bit in containers when eating from them with the effect of liquids and pastes to aggressively stick to themselves and each other?

Eric Sonson

What role do mushrooms play in the future of space agriculture?