The microgravity environment, coupled with limited storage space, has significantly restricted astronauts’ menu choices.
Here are some foods that are not recommended in space.
1. Bread
Breadcrumbs can become a real issue in space.
Crumbs from bread, crackers, and similar items pose a significant problem in space. They float around and can get into astronauts’ eyes or interfere with critical equipment. This is why tortillas are often used instead of bread on all spacecraft in orbit. However, the invention of crumb-free bread in 2017 may soon change this rule.
2. Soda
Interestingly, carbonation processes in microgravity result in… nothing happening at all! On Earth, the appeal of soda lies in its fizz, but in space, the bubbles float freely, so carbonated beverages do not produce the characteristic hissing sound. In the 1980s and 1990s, astronauts were surprised to find that fizzy drinks do not flow down easily as they do at home.
3. Salt and Pepper
Salt and pepper particles will float instead of falling onto food.
There is no concept of “sprinkling” salt or pepper in space. Salt, pepper, or other spices will float instead of landing on food. However, many space shuttles do carry liquid salt and pepper mixtures.
4. Fresh Milk
Instead of fresh milk, dehydrated milk is used to save space and eliminate the need for refrigeration. This has become a staple in international space missions since the 1960s.
5. Ice Cream
While a delightful food item, ice cream cannot be taken into space because there are no freezers on the space shuttle. Nevertheless, scientists can create freeze-dried ice cream for use as a dessert.
6. Pizza
Although not outright banned in space, pizza is not among astronauts’ favorite foods. “You can’t enjoy a crispy crust. The pizza will always be soggy or chewy, which does not meet anyone’s expectations,” said Vicki Kloeris, director of food at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
7. Alcohol
In 1972, alcohol (specifically Paul Masson Rare Cream Sherry) was included in the menu for the upcoming Skylab 4 mission. However, it caused a public uproar, with many people sending angry letters to NASA, leading to the idea being scrapped. Scientist and astronaut Edward G. Gibson stated: “Astronauts represent a pure form. Once you tarnish that purity with alcohol, some people will genuinely feel uncomfortable.”
