The famous leap for mankind made by space pioneers of the 1960’s set a path for another, even greater leap that astronauts are about the make in the following decade. We are currently preparing for a mission that was thought to be possible only in sci-fi books and movies - a journey to Mars.
As part of their preparations for Mars, NASA is conducting studies aboard the International Space Station about all the things to anticipate in space. An astronaut that recently returned to Earth after 340 days spent on ISS was one of the stars of the experiment. His name is Scott Kelly, and together with his twin brother who stayed on Earth, he played a major role in determining how our bodies behave in prolonged microgravity conditions. For example, it’s interesting to note that Mr. Kelly was 1.5 inches taller in space than on Earth. Why is that? Will he “shrink” back to his normal height? In microgravity bodily fluids move up to the upper part of the body, making astronauts congested, affecting their vision and sense of smell, etc. Does this unusual state leave some permanent marks on an astronaut’s body? We’ll find answers to all these questions and more, after Mr. Kelly’s medical tests are analyzed in the upcoming months.
But one thing is certain: among the things astronauts miss the most when they’re in space is home food. To successfully complete their missions, astronauts need to be emotionally and psychologically stable to withstand weightlessness, isolation and other challenges of long space flights. And as surprising as it may seem, NASA’s crew commander Angelo Vermeulen claims that food is absolutely crucial to the psychology of the crew.
The following infographic will take you on a journey through the evolution of food in space, show you the challenges of eating in zero gravity, educate you on space food preparation processes and explain why food is such an important factor in keeping the astronauts sane.
[Click on image to enlarge]
Infographic Sources:
1. 50 years of NASA's space food packaging documented
2. This Is the Food We'll Eat on Mars
3. NASA Food Technology: Incredible Edibles From Space
4. NASA Facts: Space Food
5. Station Prepares for Expanding Crew
6. Carbonated Beverages in Space
7. Eating In Space
8. Food in Space
9. Space Food
10. Video: Dining on the Space Station
1. 50 years of NASA's space food packaging documented
2. This Is the Food We'll Eat on Mars
3. NASA Food Technology: Incredible Edibles From Space
4. NASA Facts: Space Food
5. Station Prepares for Expanding Crew
6. Carbonated Beverages in Space
7. Eating In Space
8. Food in Space
9. Space Food
10. Video: Dining on the Space Station
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please adhere to proper blog etiquette when posting your comments. This blog owner will exercise his absolution discretion in allowing or rejecting any comments that are deemed seditious, defamatory, libelous, racist, vulgar, insulting, and other remarks that exhibit similar characteristics. If you insist on using anonymous comments, please write your name or other IDs at the end of your message.