1. USC
• What foods do youWhat foods do you
think astronautsthink astronauts
each in space?each in space?
• Has it always beenHas it always been
the same type ofthe same type of
food / same type offood / same type of
packing through thepacking through the
history of mannedhistory of manned
space flight?space flight?
2. USC
Background - History of Space
Foods
• MercuryMercury:: compressedcompressed
and dehydrated bite-sizedand dehydrated bite-sized
cubes, freeze-dried powders,cubes, freeze-dried powders,
and semi-liquids stuffed inand semi-liquids stuffed in
aluminum tubes.aluminum tubes.
((ShownShown: mushroom, soup, beverage,: mushroom, soup, beverage,
pineapple juice, chicken pears, strawberries,pineapple juice, chicken pears, strawberries,
beef and vegetables, etc.)beef and vegetables, etc.)
*(Figure 1 & Figure 2: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th
, 2009)
3. USC
Background - History of Space
Foods
• GeminiGemini:: bite-sized cubesbite-sized cubes
were coated with gelatin to reducewere coated with gelatin to reduce
crumbling, and the freeze-driedcrumbling, and the freeze-dried
foods were encased in a specialfoods were encased in a special
plastic containers to improveplastic containers to improve
packaging, hence improvingpackaging, hence improving
overall food quality, flavor,overall food quality, flavor,
moisture content, and spoilage.moisture content, and spoilage.
• Improved menu to include: grapes,Improved menu to include: grapes,
beef stew, turkey, rice withbeef stew, turkey, rice with
chicken, chocolate cubes, etc.chicken, chocolate cubes, etc.
• More variety andMore variety and
improved packaging!!improved packaging!! ((ShownShown: wrapped in cellophane, an airtight: wrapped in cellophane, an airtight
and waterproof sealant used to wrapand waterproof sealant used to wrap
everyday poultry products)everyday poultry products)
*(Figure 3: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th
, 2009)
4. USC
Background - History of Space
Foods
• ApolloApollo:: new packaging method, wet-pack or thermostabilized flexiblenew packaging method, wet-pack or thermostabilized flexible
pouch which retained water content. Astronauts could see and smell whatpouch which retained water content. Astronauts could see and smell what
they were eating as well as eat with a spoon for the first time in space.they were eating as well as eat with a spoon for the first time in space.
• Menu included: coffee, bacon squares, cornflakes, scrambled eggs, cheeseMenu included: coffee, bacon squares, cornflakes, scrambled eggs, cheese
crackers, beef sandwich, chocolate pudding, tuna salad, peanut butter, etc.crackers, beef sandwich, chocolate pudding, tuna salad, peanut butter, etc.
• More variety and improved packaging!!More variety and improved packaging!!
*(Figure 4 & Figure 5: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th
, 2009)
5. USC
Background - History of Space
Foods
• SkylabSkylab:: the Skylabthe Skylab
laboratory had a freezer,laboratory had a freezer,
refrigerator, warming trays, and arefrigerator, warming trays, and a
table, just like at home.table, just like at home.
– Compartmentalized foodCompartmentalized food
tray!!tray!!
• Space ShuttleSpace Shuttle:: FoodFood
variety expanded to 74 differentvariety expanded to 74 different
kinds of food and 20 kinds ofkinds of food and 20 kinds of
beverages.beverages.
– Personalize menu basedPersonalize menu based
on own needs andon own needs and
wants!!wants!!
– VelcroVelcro
*(Figure 6: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th
, 2009)
6. USC
Background - History of Space
Foods
• ISSISS:: primarily,primarily, most foods are frozen, refrigerated, or thermostabilizedmost foods are frozen, refrigerated, or thermostabilized
and will not require the addition of water before consumption. Station crewsand will not require the addition of water before consumption. Station crews
have more than 250 food and beverage items they can select from the U.S.have more than 250 food and beverage items they can select from the U.S.
and Russian food systems.and Russian food systems.
• Foil and plastic laminate to provide for a longer product shelf lifeFoil and plastic laminate to provide for a longer product shelf life
• More variety and improved packaging!!More variety and improved packaging!!
*(Figure 7 & Figure 8: courtesy of NASA, retrieved Nov. 8th
, 2009)
7. USC
• Let’s look at some of these things….Let’s look at some of these things….
in personin person
13. USC
WATER
• RationingRationing
• RecyclingRecycling
• Why? $10,000 per pound to launchWhy? $10,000 per pound to launch
• How much to launch one gallon of water?How much to launch one gallon of water?
• How much water would you need to goHow much water would you need to go
Mars? (The trip is 3 years one way)Mars? (The trip is 3 years one way)
14. USC
What types of water will be recycled?What types of water will be recycled?
• SweatSweat
• RespirationRespiration
• Urine, yes urine !!!Urine, yes urine !!!
• ShowerShower
• Animals and HumansAnimals and Humans
• WHAT ???WHAT ???
