How is NASA trying to whip up menus for the mission to mars?
NASA food lab scientists are facing challenges as they develop a menu for a mission to Mars anticipated to take place around 2030, the Los Angeles Times reported today. While astronauts on moon missions can enjoy space food like shrink-wrapped, freeze-dried mac and cheese, planning food for a Mars mission is more complicated. In the case of the macaroni, the packaging does not allow in any moisture or oxygen, so the pasta could spoil too quickly, and foil packaging is too heavy. Michele Perchonok, NASA’s manager of advanced food technology, and 15 scientists, must come up with items that are light, nutritious and delicious with a long shelf life. It will take at least six to eight months to fly to Mars, and astronouts would probably be on Mars for a year and a half. If NASA sends the food ahead of time, the meals will have to last five years. Scientists are also deciding whether or not packaged meals could be supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables, which NASA first grew in space
NASA food lab scientists are facing challenges as they develop a menu for a mission to Mars anticipated to take place around 2030, the Los Angeles Times reported today. While astronauts on moon missions can enjoy space food like shrink-wrapped, freeze-dried mac and cheese, planning food for a Mars mission is more complicated. In the case of the macaroni, the packaging does not allow in any moisture or oxygen, so the pasta could spoil too quickly, and foil packaging is too heavy. Michele Perchonok, NASA’s manager of advanced food technology, and 15 scientists, must come up with items that are light, nutritious and delicious with a long shelf life. It will take at least six to eight months to fly to Mars, and astronouts would probably be on Mars for a year and a half. If NASA sends the food ahead of time, the meals will have to last five years. Scientists are also deciding whether or not packaged meals could be supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables, which NASA first grew in space
NASA food lab scientists are facing challenges as they develop a menu for a mission to Mars anticipated to take place around 2030, the Los Angeles Times … Sources: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&usg=AFQjCNFdhF0On_9RVBEw2NvRdH0FfiziiA&cid=1296685305&ei=YHGHSrDnAqLI9QSF1bORAQ&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.usatoday.com%2Fondeadline%2F2009%2F08%2Fnasa-trying-to-whip-up-menus-for-mars-missions.
