What’s the Food Like?

Whether in space or on Earth, food is necessary for life—it gives a person’s body the nutrients needed to be strong and healthy. The difference between food on Earth and in space is the way it is stored and prepared.

On Earth, food is prepared to be delicious. Think of all of your favorite foods. On Earth we store our food in a freezer, refrigerator, or cupboard. Some foods, such as bowls of fresh fruit, can be set on the counter.

In space, foods are individually packaged for easy handling in microgravity. Most food is precooked or processed. It requires no refrigeration and is either ready to eat or can be prepared simply by adding water or by heating it. The only exceptions are the fresh fruit and vegetables stowed in the fresh food locker. Without refrigeration, many of these must be eaten within the first two days of the flight or they will spoil.

In his journal, astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria explains more about food in space.

From the Journal of Michael Lopez-Alegria