Category: Astronauts

In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to eat in space, consuming pureed meat and liver paste from a toothpaste-like tube. Fortunately, the question of what foods do astronauts eat in space has a much more appealing answer today, with a diverse menu available on the International Space Station (ISS). Modern space food combines nutritional science with taste and comfort, a far cry from its bland origins.

Before the Apollo 11 launch, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins shared steak and eggs. This meal was chosen to provide high protein and limit fiber.

In the early days of space travel, astronauts consumed pureed foods from tubes. Modern astronauts on missions lasting up to nine months now enjoy a diverse menu, designed to meet nutritional needs and boost morale in orbit.

After spending 286 days in microgravity aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams recently returned to Earth and is undergoing a rehabilitation program. Part of her recovery involves a controlled reintroduction to a normal, gravity-bound diet, fundamentally changing what will Sunita Williams eat now compared to her space menu.

According to NASA, the International Space Station stocks about 3.8 pounds of food per astronaut per day, along with extra supplies to support unexpected mission extensions. This comprehensive preparedness means crews are highly unlikely to face starvation.

According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, early space food was limited, and astronauts found the tasting experience somewhat bland, prompting the need for more varied and flavorful options. However, to meet the strict safety protocols for space travel, there are specific items and types of food that can't be taken into orbit, which answers the question of what food can astronauts not eat.

Astronauts experience a dulled sense of taste in space, similar to having a head cold. This affects what is the most popular food in space and explains the preference for strong flavors.

According to research, the blue-green microalgae known as spirulina has been utilized by NASA as a dietary supplement for astronauts on space missions. Its incredible nutritional density and high protein content make it an ideal candidate for sustaining human health in the unique challenges of the space environment.

Dating back to 1961, American astronaut Alan Shepard’s low-fiber breakfast of steak and eggs before his first historic flight began a decades-long tradition for NASA. This raises the question: what do astronauts eat before they go to space, and does this specific meal still hold scientific significance today?

Astronauts consume a significant amount of food, often between 2,500 and 3,800 calories each day, depending on their activity levels. The question of how much food astronauts eat involves the unique aspects of eating and nutrition in space.