What do astronauts eat on their space missions? If you ever have this question in mind, you should check the deep space food challenge. NASA has encouraged people to provide creative ideas for foods on the space missions through this challenge. Millions of people have submitted their opinions, and NASA will also award the winners. Read this article to know about some interesting space foods facts.
Food is an integral part of our lifestyle, and people work to earn money for filling their stomachs. One may invest money in various entertaining purposes, but the primary goal is filling the stomach. As you travel to different parts of the globe, you will discover different kinds of food habits.
In most cases, food habit depends on the availability of the ingredients. Nevertheless, climate also plays a crucial role in the food habit of a person. While humans know what should they do on the earth, it is still a mystery to explore foods on spaceships. For encouraging people to come with creative space food ideas, NASA has launched a deep space food challenge.
If you participate in this challenge, you should know a few basic things about space foods. So, here are those facts for you at a glance.
1. High Surgery and Sodium Foods
During an outer space trip, astronauts come across many physical challenges. Choosing the right foods is the best way of countering those challenges. For keeping the body energetic, scientists have to consume foods with a good amount of carbohydrates. If you do not take carbohydrates, your body will become lethargic in the spaceship.
At the same time, sodium percentage in the body can also drop due to change in atmospheric pressure and temperature. Thus, you should recommend some foods with a high sodium quantity for the NASA food challenge.
2. Good Packaging
For taking foods during an outer space trip, good packaging is essential. Many scientists carry their favourite foods, which even include junk foods. But, the foods need good packaging. Air-sealed bags will be required for packaging such foods. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration use unique air-sealed plastic bags for storing the foods in the spaceship.
Good packaging is the key to keeping the food fresh and hygienic. The freshness of the food may depend on many factors. Air-tight packaging ensures that atmospheric pressure does not have an impact on the quality of the food.
3. No Limited Items
People commonly perceive that astronauts carry only a few types of food on their space missions. But, the reality is completely different. They carry many kinds of foods according to their requirements. Along with the health issues, the taste is also a priority for the astronauts. Nobody likes to eat boring foods on a space mission.
The feasibility of carrying different kinds of foods comes into consideration for aeronautics and space research. From pizza to fresh fruits, different kinds of foods may need to be carried in such missions for the researchers.
4. No Cookies and Bread
You may carry many types of foods on the space mission, though cookies and bread are not allowed. Crumbs of cookies and bread can stick to the little space buttons. As a result, it may lead to the malfunction of the spaceship.
For more information in this regard, you can check India Science TV Channel. The channel provides interesting and useful information on space missions.