Space Food

Eating in space is tricky because everything floats. Crumbs could fly into equipment and cause problems. Space food is designed to be safe and easy to eat in zero gravity. Today, astronauts can choose from over 200 different foods and drinks.

Types of Space Food

Some space food comes in pouches that astronauts add water to. Other foods are ready to eat right from the package. Tortillas are very popular because they do not make crumbs like bread does. Astronauts can eat things like macaroni and cheese, shrimp cocktail, and even brownies.

How Space Food Has Changed

Early astronauts had to eat food squeezed from tubes like toothpaste. The food was not very tasty. Today, space food is much better. Astronauts can even get fresh fruits and vegetables when supply ships arrive. Some astronauts have grown lettuce on the space station and eaten it.

Fun Facts

• Tortillas replaced bread on the space station because bread crumbs float everywhere in zero gravity.
• Salt and pepper come in liquid form in space so the grains do not float away.
• Astronaut ice cream, the freeze-dried kind sold in gift shops, has never actually been eaten in space.

Did You Know?

Astronauts often say food tastes blander in space. This is because fluids shift to their heads in zero gravity, which stuffs up their noses.