FOOD TRAY IN SPACE
Research Area: Food and Clothing Systems
Expedition(s): 10 and 11
Principal Investigator(s): ● Olindo Temperini, Agenzia Regionale per lo Sviluppo Agricolo
del Lazio (ARSIAL), Rome, Italy
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Food Tray in Space experiment is to increase the variety and quality of food
available to crews in space, more specifically the International Space Station (ISS). The Food
Tray in Space experiment was demonstrating that food items, produced from high-quality
products, are tasty and nutritious and don’t lose their quality under spaceflight conditions.
RESULTS
As part of the experiment, ESA
astronaut Roberto Vittori completed a
feedback form, which covered 3
questions:
- Did the products change
characteristics (smell, taste,
consistency)? - Would you change anything in
the food tray (quantity, form
and type)? - Would you include items on
the ISS menu?
While the first question provided no
change in any characteristics of any of
the food items, the nougat did prove
too crumbly to be easily eaten in response to the second question. Preferences were also
provided for the final question.
This investigation is complete; however additional results are pending publication.
Food items from the Food Tray in Space experiment. ESA image.