New Delhi, June 2: Food in space missions is not just a means to satisfy hunger; it plays a crucial role in the mental and physical well-being of astronauts. Recently, Indian Air Force officer and astronaut Shubanshu Shukla shared insights on how the menu for space missions is determined during his ‘Space Learning with SHUAX’ series on social media.
On his official Instagram account, Shukla explained that special testing of food is conducted 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 where all astronauts have lunch before launch. This is not merely a formality but an essential part of mission preparation, helping astronauts to mentally and physically gear up for their long journey.
According to Shukla, when an astronaut spends weeks or months in a confined environment, food becomes not just a source of nutrition but also an emotional support. Familiar meals remind them of Earth and provide mental relief amidst the monotonous routine and limited surroundings of space.
For this reason, the selection of food for space missions is done with great care. Astronauts must taste over 200 food items before a flight, a process known as ‘food testing.’ Each food item is rated on a hedonic scale to determine which dishes will be included in the mission menu.
He mentioned that while this process may sound straightforward, it is quite challenging. After tasting hundreds of food items, astronauts can become full, and even good food may receive lower ratings in the final stages, making accurate evaluation a significant challenge.
Shukla also pointed out that food tastes different in space. Due to microgravity, bodily fluids shift towards the head, creating a sensation similar to a mild cold, which affects the sense of smell and diminishes the taste experience. This is why food that tastes 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 mentioned that granola and oats have been among his favorite options for breakfast.