 |
International Space Station To Get Japanese Take-Out
Japanese space food will soon be available on the International Space Station; the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has certified 29 Japanese food products for use in space.
(Japanese space food courtesy of JAXA)
Astronauts and cosmonauts can now enjoy such Japanese take-out standards as ramen, curry, onigiri (rice balls) and green tea. What took them so long?
The ISS has tough standards for food in space; it must be able to survive the changes in temperature and pressure on the ride up, and must be able to survive a year in storage at zero-g.
Careful food service engineering is also required; for example, the ramen has a thick broth and the noodles are clumped together in bite-sized pieces. Food products are also packed in special containers, and can have preparation times no longer than an hour. (See some additional Japanese space food samples.)
In 2008, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata will be joining the ISS staff; he will appreciate these JAXA-approved delicacies (made more tasty in zero-G by extra spices):
- Egg soup
- Rice with red azuki beans and wild greens
- Salmon onigiri (rice balls)
- Mackerel in miso sauce
- Kabayaki saury (broiled with sweet soy sauce)
(Captain Janeway regards a food replicator on the USS Voyager)
Science fiction writers have been dreaming of elaborate space cuisine for generations. John W. Campbell anticipated the Star Trek food replicators in his 1934 story Twilight:
The food was three hundred thousand years old, I suppose. I didn't know, and the machines that served it to me didn't care, for they made things synthetically, you see, and perfectly.
(Read more about Campbell's synthetic food dispenser
Robert Heinlein seized upon the newly invented Raytheon microwave oven in his classic 1948 juvenile novel Space Cadet:
...every ration taken aboard a Patrol vessel is pre-cooked and ready for eating as soon as it is taken out of freeze and subjected to the number of seconds...
(Read more about Heinlein's microwavable food rations)
NASA has also given a great deal of thought about how to provide food to astronauts on long voyages; see Robotic Tomato Harvester Ready For Space for details. The Chinese space program is also interested in the effects of space travel on food production; see Chinese 'Seed Satellite'. US astronauts, however, are going to want beef; take a look at Cultured Meat Straight From The Vat.
Via Pink Tentacle.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/28/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Food ")
Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
IVM is one of those sfnal futures that seems to be getting closer and closer.
Electrolux Moléculaire 3D Food Printer
This video shows a design concept that is entirely possible, based on current technology.
Beaker Burgers From In Vitro Meat
All around the world, scientists are racing to be the first to produce meat in a vat. No waste materials to be cut away. Just the burger - in a beaker.
Let's Pizza Robotic Pizzeria
More tasty food made by robotic minions is on the way; take a look at the video to see if Let's Pizza meets your standards.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
At least they were not the 'rude mechanicals'.
Paralysis Ray Uses Photocontrolled Molecular Switch
Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.
Brine Wells May Swallow Towns
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the Quadraturin essence in 1 cup of water.
Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
ChickieNobs, anyone?
Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Foils Carjacker
Better than a car chase.
Robot Martial Arts Videos
Robo-Shiko!
Interactive TV Patent From Sony
Can you dance faster than the White Clown?
Smart Contact Lens With Power Harvesting Circuits
Smart contacts with VR connections.
'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
Droogs! There's water ice on the moon!
FOXP2 Tweak Yields Planet Of The Apes?
Get your filthy words off me, you damn dirty ape!
Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Patsy Cline classic played by robot.
XT-1 Micro Mouse With Blazing Speed
These are fully autonomouse robots.
Escape Pods, Refuge Of ISS Astronauts From Space Junk
Who first thought about escape pods?
Steerable Bowling Ball Is A Cheesy Spherical Robot
Once the province of geeks, now in bowling alleys.
Bio-Mechanics And Micro-Robotic Flight
Micro air vehicles and insect flight.
