Scientists Identify Hearty Kale Salad as Optimal Space Meal for Male Astronauts on Long-Term Missions
Scientists conducted tests on 10 potential space meals to identify the most suitable and flavorful option for male astronauts during extended space travel, particularly for missions to Mars. The study aimed to find nutrient-dense meals that meet astronauts’ dietary requirements and can be produced in space with minimal water. The research, published in the journal ACS Food Science & Technology on December 13, revealed that a hearty kale salad emerged as the top choice for male astronauts. This vegetarian salad was identified as an essential step toward making long-term human space missions, such as those to Mars, more feasible.
Space travelers have distinct nutritional needs due to the unique stressors of spaceflight, including vibrations, weightlessness, cosmic radiation, and extreme temperature changes. Male astronauts, in particular, require around 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms) of food daily, with double the carbohydrates and proteins compared to Earth’s requirements. The study used a statistical model to evaluate nutrient-dense ingredients, considering their potential for space cultivation and long-term storage. The model identified 10 “space dishes,” with four being vegetarian and six combining plants with meat.
While meat options provide concentrated nutrients, storage challenges make them less suitable for long-term space missions. The researchers excluded baked goods due to concerns about crumbs in microgravity damaging equipment. Crops, however, are feasible for cultivation during space travel. The optimal dish determined by the study is a vegetarian salad comprising soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato, and sunflower seeds, excluding salad dressing.
Beyond nutritional aspects, taste was also a factor in evaluating the ideal astronaut meal. Four volunteers sampled the optimized space salad, providing positive feedback on its palatability. The study acknowledges limitations, such as the need for a reliable cultivation system to maximize crop output in space. The optimized salad may also lack some essential vitamins and minerals, necessitating supplementation. Future studies should consider cultural and individual dietary preferences, allergies, and restrictions to ensure astronauts’ satisfaction with their space menu.