Name: What Do Astronauts Eat On The International Space Station?
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What Do Astronauts Eat On The International Space Station?

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Becoming an astronaut is an out-of-this-world experience, but mundane activities such as eating are still a part of the everyday routine. When you're in a zero-gravity environment, eating meals is somewhat different than when you’re at the dinner table back home. The food, for example, needs to be secured – or it will float away completely!We know how curious you are about what astronauts eat on the International Space Station, so we've done our research. Here's what we found out.The first astronauts consumed their food from toothpaste-like tubes, straight into their mouths. The food containers were designed to prevent food particles from floating off into space. It was adequate, sure, but definitely not tasty. Food had a paste or puree-like consistency to fit in tubes, so it was like eating baby food!&nbsp;Wikimedia CommonsIt’s a good thing, then, that people in charge of the Space Food System Laboratory didn't stop innovating. They worked tirelessly to make space food better with each trip. This brings us to the next kind of food in space: freeze-dried food.These foods are popular aboard the ISS since they last long, don't have to be squeezed from a tube, and can be reconstituted (mixed) with water to restore them to the right consistency (like stews and soups). Eventually, the astronauts and food experts learned that it's safe to eat soups and stews with a spoon onboard without the danger of the liquid getting into the control equipment.Wikimedia CommonsHowever, bread was a no-no on the ISS. It was too risky, as the crumbs could fly anywhere in zero gravity and might get lodged in air filters and other vital equipment. Tortillas are the next best option to bread, as it does not break into crumbs. This carbohydrate became the basis for many space sandwiches, including peanut butter and jelly ones!Tinned delightsFood in tins or cans is a staple in space just as they are on Earth. The astronauts liked canned food because there was no need for water to rehydrate them. They simply heated the food using special heating equipment and voila! A hot and filling canned meal in space.Every once in a while, the astronauts would long for fresh fruits and vegetables. However, fresh produce is a rare commodity in the ISS. They would only get those delicious fruits and vegetables when visiting vehicles, both manned and unmanned, arrived.&nbsp;Wikimedia CommonsDue to their short shelf life, they have to be immediately eaten when they get to the ISS. Nevertheless, it definitely was a welcome change from all the canned and dehydrated food.Astronauts aboard the ISS come from different countries and cultures, so they receive food from their mother country once in a while. Macarons, kimchi, and borscht were among the foods enjoyed aboard the station, as were samosas and satays.&nbsp;Wikimedia CommonsUsually, the food was brought by SpaceFlight Participants who wanted to bring a piece of their country and culture up in space. Others, though, were requested by the astronauts who were craving their comfort food from back home.Cooking, to some extent, has been possible in the ISS as of late. Pizza is enjoyed on the ISS with the ingredients brought aboard. Astronauts can make chocolate chip cookies and espresso in space, too! Red romaine lettuce was also grown in space and eaten safely during one such experimental period. One Russian cosmonaut, Oleg G. Artemev, even brought an onion to the ISS. He grew shoots from it and added them to his dishes.&nbsp;Wikimedia CommonsTruly, technological advances have made space food more enjoyable and diverse as the years went by. And thanks to this innovation, astronauts will no longer have to worry about bland meals as they enjoy their favorites aboard the ISS.

Becoming an astronaut is an out-of-this-world experience, but mundane activities such as eating are still a part of the everyday routine. When you're in a zero-gravity environment, eating meals is somewhat different than when you’re at the dinner table back home. The food, for example, needs to be secured – or it will float away completely!We know how curious you are about what astronauts eat on the International Space Station, so we've done our research. Here's what we found out.The first astronauts consumed their food from toothpaste-like tubes, straight into their mouths. The food...

What Do Astronauts Eat On The International Space Station?

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