Tag: Microgravity

Astronauts can lose up to 20% of their muscle mass and bone density during a long mission due to microgravity. This is why the question of what do astronauts eat in space to stay healthy is critically important, with their diet meticulously planned to counteract these physiological changes.

In 1962, John Glenn ate applesauce from a tube during the Friendship 7 mission. It was a crucial test to see if humans could swallow and digest food in space. Was applesauce the first food eaten in space by an American astronaut?

In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to eat in space during his Friendship 7 mission. His menu consisted of pureed beef and vegetables, applesauce from toothpaste-like tubes, and sugar tablets. This diet was designed not for taste, but to test if an astronaut could swallow and digest food in a microgravity environment.

On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history as the first human in space, and during his 108-minute mission, he also became the first person to eat in orbit. His menu was a far cry from modern astronaut meals, consisting of pureed beef and liver paste from a toothpaste-like aluminum tube.

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.

Astronauts consume roughly 1.7 kilograms (3.8 pounds) of food each day, including packaging. This daily amount is carefully planned to meet their nutritional needs.

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 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 consume a variety of foods and beverages during space missions. In general terms, the food that astronauts eat is called 'space food,' which includes a variety of specifically designed meals.

The menu on the International Space Station (ISS) features over 100 food items, reflecting decades of advancement. While it's no five-star restaurant, the answer to what food do space Travellers eat involves a meticulously designed diet to ensure health, psychological well-being, and ease of consumption in microgravity.