New Delhi, June 2: Food in space missions serves more than just hunger; it plays a vital role in astronauts’ mental and physical well-being. Indian Air Force officer and astronaut Shubanshu Shukla recently shared insights on social media about how space mission menus are crafted in his series “Space Learning with SHUAX.”
On his official Instagram account, Shukla explained that special testing of food occurs before space missions, and the tradition of having lunch before launch is part of this process.
He noted that a longstanding tradition persists in human space flights: all astronauts have lunch together before a launch. This is not merely a formality; it is a crucial part of mission preparation, helping astronauts mentally and physically gear up for their extended journeys.
According to Shukla, when an astronaut spends weeks or months in a confined environment, food becomes more than just a source of nutrition; it also serves as emotional support. Familiar meals remind them of Earth, providing mental comfort amidst the monotony of space life.
This is why selecting food for space missions is done with utmost care. Before a flight, astronauts taste over 200 food items in a process known as “food testing.” Each item is rated on a hedonic scale to determine which foods will make it onto the mission menu.
He explained that while this process may sound straightforward, it is quite challenging. After tasting hundreds of foods, astronauts often feel full, making it difficult to evaluate the final items accurately.
Shukla also mentioned that food tastes different in space. Due to microgravity, bodily fluids shift towards the head, creating a sensation similar to a mild cold. This affects their sense of smell and diminishes the experience of taste. As a result, foods that are delicious on Earth may seem bland in space.
Keeping this in mind, astronauts choose foods they genuinely enjoy and that still taste good in space. He shared that granola and oats have been among his favorite breakfast options.
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