China expands food options for deep-space missions
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, a holiday celebrating family unity, the crew of Shenzhou XVIII aboard China's space station had a special treat of "space mooncakes" filled with lotus paste. Their menu also included personal favorites like spicy lamb and braised pork chops, all prepared ahead of time by ground support.
"We have developed technologies to bring Chinese cuisine to the 'space dining table', allowing astronauts to enjoy 'home-cooked flavors'," explained Li Yinghui, a researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Li also noted that China has achieved precision nutrition control technology, establishing accurate standards for spaceflight nutritional supplies. These advances help astronauts manage physiological challenges, such as weightlessness and radiation, during extended missions lasting more than 180 days.
"Various functional space foods featuring antioxidant effects, immune support, fatigue relief, and gut microbiome regulation have been developed to enhance astronauts' in-orbit adaptability," Li added.
Looking ahead to future deep space missions, China is also working on in-orbit cooking technology to support long-term habitation in space, stated Zang Peng, another researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Based on a Xinhua News Agency article
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