What do astronauts eat in space? Here’s what’s on the menu for Artemis II crew

WASHINGTON — Artemis II will launch into space on Wednesday for a 10-day mission around the Moon, humanity’s first crewed lunar mission in decades. 

But what does one eat on a 10-day trip around the moon? Turns out, quite a bit. 

NASA unveiled its structured meal plan for its crew on the Orion spacecraft earlier this month. The space agency said the menu, which includes 189 items,  was “carefully selected” to remain safe, shelf-stable and easy to prepare on the NASA spacecraft. 

Far are the days of the stereotypical freeze-dried ice cream as NASA developed the menu in coordination with space food experts and the crew to balance “calorie needs, hydration and nutrient intake” while also catering to individual crew preferences.

It’s also designed to be crumb-friendly, offering little to no bread on board. Instead, the crew is taking 58 tortillas. 

These were selected over bread because they create fewer crumbs in space. 

Here’s a look at the food aboard the Artemis II mission.

The Artemis II crew’s fuel tank isn’t the only thing powering them, as they are expected to drink 43 cups of coffee during the mission.  More than 10 drink options are on the ship, including: 

• Coffee
• Green Tea
• Mango-Peach Smoothie
• Chocolate Breakfast Drink
• Vanilla Breakfast Drink
• Strawberry Breakfast Drink
• Lemonade
• Apple Cider
• Pineapple Drink
• Cocoa

More than 189 items are on the menu for the astronauts to refuel their bodies. Here are the most common ones:

• Tortillas (totaling 58) 
• Wheat Flat Bread
• Vegetable Quiche
• Breakfast Sausage
• Couscous with Nuts
• Mango Salad
• Granola with Blueberries
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Barbecued Beef Brisket
• Broccoli au Gratin
• Spicy Green Beans
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Tropical Fruit Salad
• Butternut Squash
• Cauliflower

• Maple Syrup
• Chocolate Spread
• Peanut Butter
• Hot Sauce
• Spicy Mustard
• Strawberry Jam
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Almond Butter

• Cookies
• Chocolate
• Cake
• Candy-coated almonds
• Cobbler
• Pudding

The meals are structured for astronauts to have breakfast, lunch and dinner.

NASA says each astronaut is allowed two flavored beverages per day, which may include coffee. The options are limited due to “upmass constraints,” which restrict how much food and drink can be carried onboard. 

The food on the spacecraft is ready-to-eat, rehydratable, thermostabilized or irradiated, meaning it has been exposed to controlled amounts of radiation to make it safer and longer. 

The crew will use the potable water dispenser to rehydrate certain foods and beverages. Additionally, they will have a compact, “briefcase-style food warmer” to help reheat meals as needed. 

The Orion spacecraft does not have refrigeration or the late load capability required for fresh food, according to NASA. 

Instead, the crew will have shelf-stable food that will help manage food safety and quality throughout the mission. This is a step away from other missions like Apollo and International Space Station missions, and the Artemis II crew will rely on a pre-fixed menu. 

“Artemis II menus reflect decades of advancement in space food systems. Apollo missions relied on early food technologies with limited variety, while space shuttle missions expanded menu options and onboard preparation. The International Space Station benefits from regular resupply and occasional fresh foods,” the space agency said on its FAQ website. ” In contrast, Artemis II uses a fixed, pre-selected menu designed for a self-contained space vehicle with no resupply.”