Embarking on a multiyear voyage to Mars is no easy feat, and ensuring astronauts are well-nourished during their space journey is a critical challenge. As space agencies gear up for longer missions, the question of how to provide tasty and nutritious meals for astronauts becomes increasingly important. In a study published in ACS Food Science & Technology, researchers have unveiled the perfect "space meal" - a mouthwatering vegetarian salad featuring fresh ingredients that cater to the specialized nutritional needs of male astronauts and can be cultivated in space.

Figure 1. Salad. (Credit: ACS)

Figure 1 shows the salad made up of soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato and sunflower seeds could be the optimal meal for men on long-term space missions.

Space travelers burn more calories than their Earth-bound counterparts, necessitating extra micronutrients like calcium to maintain optimal health in microgravity conditions. Future long-term missions also require a sustainable approach to food production within spacecraft or space colonies. While previous research has focused on growing food in space and understanding astronauts' nutritional requirements, the development of specific fresh meals has been a missing piece of the puzzle. Enter Volker Hessel and team, determined to create a space-friendly meal that not only meets nutritional needs but also tantalizes the taste buds.

The researchers employed a method known as linear programming to assess various combinations of fresh ingredients. This computational approach balanced different variables to achieve a specific goal – in this case, identifying combinations that meet a male astronaut's daily nutritional requirements while minimizing water usage for cultivation. Sustainability was a key concern, leading the team to select ingredients with minimal fertilizer, time, and space requirements for growth, as well as considering the potential for recycling inedible portions.

Among the scenarios explored, a vegetarian meal comprising soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potato, and/or sunflower seeds emerged as the most efficient in balancing maximal nutrients with minimal farming inputs. While this combination couldn't provide all necessary micronutrients, the researchers suggest supplementing any deficiencies with a dietary supplement.

To ensure the identified combination was not only nutritious but also delicious, the team crafted the ideal space meal – a salad – for a taste test here on Earth. One tester gave enthusiastic reviews, expressing a willingness to enjoy this meal all week as an astronaut. Others, while more reserved in their praise, couldn't resist second helpings. Looking ahead, the researchers plan to expand their computer model's options for female astronauts and diversify the crops in their database.

Crafting the perfect space meal is undoubtedly a fascinating journey, and with each flavorful bite, we inch closer to ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of our intrepid space explorers.

Source: ACS

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), The Ultimate Space Salad: A Delectable Solution for Future Astronauts, AnaTechmaz, pp. 12