[CH] space food

Marc Norman (Marc.Norman@utas.edu.au)
Thu, 22 Jul 1999 08:41:57 +1000 

Seeing as how this is being centered in Iowa it may be too much to hope for
chiles in space but it sure seems like an assortment of dried chipotles,
habaneros, anchos, cayennes, roccottos, et al. would really improve the
chances of success on a 3 year trip to Mars. Can you imagine eating airline
food everyday? Maybe the folks at JSC will help plan the menu and include
steaming gorditas, fajitas, and cheese enchiladas verde for those lucky
space cadets.

Apologies in advance to all you Iowan chileheads - just kidding

NEW CENTER AIMS TO IMPROVE FOOD IN SPACE AND ON EARTH

      NASA has selected Iowa State University, Ames, IA, to head
up research that could lead to better food for astronauts and
safer, more nutritious packaged foods for everyone.

      Iowa State will head the National Food Technology Commercial
Space Center, working to improve food for long duration space
missions and to enhance the packaging, preparation and storage of
commercially produced food.

      NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, will sponsor the
center.  The value of the five-year cooperative agreement is
approximately $2.8 million. Commercial partners will provide
additional resources in a collaborative effort to develop the new
technologies.

      As space flight evolves from short-duration Space Shuttle
missions to extended habitation aboard the International Space
Station, NASA will be challenged to provide astronauts with more
palatable and more nutritious food.  The Agency must also find
ways to decrease the weight of items to be carried to the station,
to reduce the on-board storage requirements and to diminish the
amount of waste produced.  The development of advanced food
technologies is essential for successful long-duration missions.

      Improvements in the shelf life and safety of food for space
flight could lead to similar improvements in commercially produced
and packaged food available to the public. Partnerships with the
private sector will be essential elements of the Food Technology
Center, in addition to the academic institution's own resources.

      Following a 60-day cooperative agreement for detailed
definition, a five-year cooperative agreement with a possible
five-year extension will be awarded in September 1999.