Information on life in space, knowledge about life in space

Aerospace food is essentially the same as ordinary food on the ground, which provides energy and nutrients for the human body. However, in order to save space on the spacecraft and payload at launch, the space food carried by astronauts should be as light and small as possible.

For example, nutritious dried biscuits and dried sausages can be soaked in water when eating, and the taste can be restored to a taste similar to that of fresh food. In addition to being able to withstand the influence of special environmental factors in aerospace, such as shock, vibration, acceleration, etc., aerospace food must also make appropriate adjustments to the nutrients of the diet according to the index of physiological changes in astronauts under weightlessness conditions. Bone loss requires adequate calcium and appropriate calcium-phosphorus ratios and vitamins from food.

The astronauts' original habits of eating and drinking water on the ground are completely inapplicable in space. Generally speaking, all kinds of food, parts, utensils, etc. are fixed. After the astronauts take out the food from the pantry, they have to cut a small hole in the composite plastic film bag containing the food, put a fork and chopsticks into the pocket and send it to the mouth.

In order to prevent food crumbs from flying everywhere and affecting the normal operation of astronauts or equipment, such food is often packaged in small packages to make "bite" food in the shape of squares, rectangles or small balls similar to the size of the mouth, and do not need to be cut when eating. If astronauts want to drink water, when eating soup, soup, juice, and jam, they can squeeze it directly into their mouths from a plastic bag or a toothpaste-like soft aluminum tube.

With the development of rocket technology, astronauts can bring more food from the ground. For example, food or semi-food turkey with sauce, beef, etc., their moisture content is the same as that of normal food eaten on the ground. Astronauts can now use microwave heaters to bake food in the capsule.

This microwave heater is different from the heater used on the ground. It has some specially made recessed compartments on it. In order to prevent the food from floating when heated, the food that needs to be heated must be fixed in these small compartments, and when plugged in, the food can be heated to a palatable level in a short time.

In space life in a weightless environment, all kinds of food, parts, utensils, etc. are fixed. In order to prevent food crumbs from flying everywhere and affecting the normal operation of astronauts or equipment, astronauts' food is often packaged in small packages to make "bite" food in the shape of squares, rectangles or small balls similar to the size of their mouths, and they do not need to be cut when eating.

If astronauts want to drink water, when eating soup, soup, juice, and jam, they can squeeze it directly into their mouths from a plastic bag or a toothpaste-like soft aluminum tube.

To go to the toilet in space, it is necessary to sit on a well-designed toilet, and the person floats in mid-air. When you sit up, put your feet in the fixed leg covers, tie the seat strap around your waist, and hold the handle with your hands.

Astronauts can now use microwave heaters to bake food in the capsule. These microwave heaters have special recessed cells on them. Foods that need to be heated must be fixed in these compartments.