What do astronauts eat in space?
Astronauts do not only eat paste from tubes. Today they eat tortilla wraps, shrimp cocktail, mac and cheese and even tacos. But eating in space brings some strange challenges, because everything floats.
Food that floats
On the International Space Station (ISS), everything that is not held down floats: water, crumbs and spoons too. Food on the ISS has to be designed so it does not escape and does not damage equipment. Inside the station, loose crumbs could drift into air vents, computers or an astronaut’s eyes.
How space food is prepared
- Rehydratable foods: dried foods like scrambled eggs or soup, to which an astronaut adds water through a special needle.
- Thermostabilized foods: heated to kill bacteria and sealed in pouches or cans, such as many main dishes and fruit.
- Natural-form foods: ready to eat as they are, like nuts, granola bars and dried fruit.
- Fresh food: when a supply ship arrives, the crew may get a few fresh apples, oranges or tomatoes. They are eaten quickly!
The clever tricks of space dining
- Tortillas instead of bread. Bread makes lots of crumbs. Tortillas do not, so astronauts use them for sandwiches and wraps.
- Liquid salt and pepper. Grains of salt and pepper would float away and could get into eyes or machines, so astronauts use salt dissolved in water and pepper in oil.
- Pouches and straws. Drinks come as powder in sealed pouches. Add water, then sip through a straw. A drink poured into a cup would form a floating blob.
- Velcro and magnets. Food trays are attached to the table or the astronaut’s leg so they do not float off.
Does food taste different in space?
Many astronauts say yes. In space, fluids in the body move toward the head, which can make them feel a bit stuffy, like when you have a cold. That is one reason many astronauts say they like spicy and strongly flavored foods, such as hot sauce and shrimp cocktail.
Growing food in space
In 2015, astronauts on the ISS ate red romaine lettuce grown on the station for the first time. In 2021 they grew chile peppers and made tacos. Growing fresh food will be important on long trips to Mars, when resupply ships cannot visit often.
And the water?
Water is heavy and costly to launch, so the ISS recycles it. Water from the air (moisture from breathing and sweat) and even from urine is cleaned and used again. The system recycles about 98% of the water on board.
Try it at home
What you need
- A tortilla
- Peanut butter, cream cheese or another spread (check for allergies)
- A juice pouch or a cup with a lid and straw
- The printable worksheet
Steps
- Make a space sandwich: spread the filling on a tortilla and roll it up. Notice that there are almost no crumbs.
- Eat it with one hand while the other holds your food tray down (a small tray on your lap). Imagine everything floating!
- Drink using only a straw and no cup, like an astronaut.
- Design your own one-day space menu on the worksheet.
Free printable worksheet: What Do Astronauts Eat?
Print it, solve it, check it with the answer key on page 2. No sign-up, no email needed.
Download the worksheet (PDF)PDF, 2 pages (worksheet + answer key), US Letter size.
Quick answers
Do astronauts eat from tubes?
In the early space program, yes, but today they eat from pouches and cans with spoons and forks, plus fresh foods when available.
Why do astronauts eat tortillas?
Because they make almost no crumbs. Crumbs float and could get into equipment or eyes.
How do astronauts drink?
From sealed pouches with a straw. Liquids do not stay in open cups in microgravity.
Can you grow food in space?
Yes. Astronauts on the ISS have grown lettuce and chile peppers.
