Space-Faring Individuals Prohibited from Consuming Common Carbohydrates
=====================================================================
Yuri A. Gagarin, the first man in space, embarked on his historic voyage aboard the Vostok 1 capsule on April 12, 1961. As he circled the Earth for 108 minutes, Gagarin became the first human to eat in space.
The food that Gagarin consumed during his groundbreaking mission was far from fine dining. His meal consisted of beef and liver paste, which were packed in aluminum tubes. This method of food consumption became the standard for astronauts in the years following Gagarin's flight.
The Gemini program, which followed the Vostok missions, introduced freeze-dried meals as an option for astronauts. These meals offered a wide array of food items for the astronauts to choose from, marking a departure from the liquified food in tubes that had been the norm up until then. However, not all food items were suitable for space travel.
Sandwiches, for instance, were tested as a possible onboard snack during the Apollo missions to the moon. Unfortunately, they encountered an issue that led to their ban from spacecraft. The specific nature of the issue remains unknown, but it has meant that bread is effectively banned from spacecraft to this day.
Other foods that have been banned due to issues encountered during space missions include carbonated beverages, alcohol, salt and pepper in granule form, and bread. The ban on bread from spacecraft has been in effect since the Apollo missions to the moon.
The reason for the ban on bread is that its crumbs can float freely in microgravity, potentially clogging air filters and damaging equipment. Similarly, granulated salt and pepper are prohibited since their particles can disperse in the cabin and pose inhalation hazards. Carbonated beverages are banned because the bubbles do not separate properly in microgravity, causing digestive discomfort and potential safety issues. Alcohol is also banned for safety and operational reasons in the controlled environment of space missions.
Despite these limitations, only certain types of food can be sent into space. During the Gemini program, astronauts had to reconstitute the freeze-dried meals using water from their onboard supply. This marked a significant improvement over the liquid meals in tubes, offering astronauts more appetising food options.
Yet, space travel has not been without its challenges when it comes to dining. Yuri A. Gagarin's space meal did not include a popular carbohydrate, and sandwiches were ultimately deemed unsuitable for space travel. Nevertheless, the advancements made in space food have paved the way for future astronauts to enjoy more palatable meals during their missions.
[1] Space.com. (2019). Why Space Food is So Bland. [online] Available at: https://www.space.com/37587-space-food-why-is-it-so-bland.html
[5] NASA. (2021). Astronaut Food. [online] Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/astronaut-food
- In the realm of space-and-astronomy, astronauts have encountered restrictions with certain foods, such as bread, due to concerns about clogging air filters and damaging equipment in the microgravity environment.
- With the advancements in space technology, astronauts in future missions may look forward to a wider variety of food-and-drink options, as researchers continue to test and improve the quality of space cuisine.
