The Evolution of Space Food: From Squeeze Tubes to Tang Pie
When we think of space travel, the groundbreaking advancements in technology often come to mind. However, one aspect that tends to be overlooked is the food that has sustained astronauts in the harsh environment of space. In the early days of space travel, astronauts were served unpalatable options like rehydrated purees from squeeze tubes and gelatinous cubes of assorted foods. Among these, one product stood out: Tang, a drink mix that became closely associated with astronauts during the 1960s.
Tang was created by food scientist William Mitchell in 1957 and hit the market in 1959. NASA began sending Tang to space with astronaut John Glenn in 1962, where it was rehydrated and consumed. This led many to mistakenly believe that Tang was developed by NASA. In actuality, it was manufactured by General Foods, which skillfully capitalized on the connection between Tang and space travel in their marketing campaigns, even introducing a recipe for Astronaut Pie (or Tang Pie), which was heralded as a futuristic dessert in the late '60s.
Creating meals fit for space is a daunting task. The typical home kitchen lacks the industrial equipment necessary to dehydrate and preserve food for astronaut consumption. Early astronauts had to contend with the inability to refrigerate or heat food, leading to an appreciation for modern conveniences, like refrigerators and microwaves. As a result, many space recipes require lengthy preparation that isn't feasible aboard spacecraft.
While Tang was a signature drink, it wasn't the first food consumed in space. That honor belongs to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. He enjoyed a meal of beef and liver paste out of a tube during his historic flight on April 12, 1961. The American space program adopted similar techniques, with John Glenn reportedly consuming squeeze-packed semi-solid foods during the Mercury missions, reminiscent of baby food but intended for adults. The food had to be packaged this way to prevent mess and maintain a manageable way to eat in microgravity, a challenge further compounded when astronauts experimented with cookies during missions, which led to crumbs floating around the cabin.
As astronauts continued to push the boundaries of space exploration, food technology advanced as well. The Gemini missions expanded the menu, and astronauts enjoyed a variety of meals, although they often consumed less than half of their caloric allotment due to taste issues and bodily pressures in space. The most notable meal was the Christmas dinner enjoyed aboard Apollo 8 in 1968, which utilized a new packaging technique called wet packing that preserved moisture and flavor better than prior methods. This positive experience set the stage for more enjoyable meals during lunar missions.
Shifts in Space Cuisine: The Apollo Era and Beyond
Fast forward to the Apollo missions, and astronauts were treated to slightly better food, still primarily dehydrated or freeze-dried. When Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon in 1969, they consumed a meal of bacon squares, peaches, and beef stew. However, the processes for preparing these meals still relied heavily on clever packaging and rehydration techniques.
As food technology evolved, later missions introduced refrigerated options and even allowed astronauts to enjoy dripless ice cream aboard Skylab in the 1970s. However, the popular astronaut ice cream enjoyed on Earth was never actually sent into space.
The camaraderie between American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts led to amusing exchanges, including a memorable incident involving vodka and borscht. During a joint television event, a cosmonaut offered the American astronauts tubes labeled "vodka," only for them to discover it was actually borscht. Such lighthearted moments showcased the humanity behind the formidable task of space exploration, even in the context of food.
The Current State of Space Cuisine
By the 1990s, the variety of food available for astronauts had expanded significantly, featuring items like M&M's, fresh fruit, and even pizza. Interestingly, Tang remained a staple, with NASA confirming its inclusion in various missions as recently as 2008, albeit always in crystal form.
To celebrate this rich history of space food, the creator of the show offers a modern interpretation in the form of Tang Pie. Comprising basic ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, Cool Whip, sour cream, and Tang itself, this pie exemplifies the playful yet practical spirit of early space cuisine. While the taste might not be for everyone, especially those who dislike sour flavors, it represents a nostalgic nod to the past.
The journey of space food has been nothing short of extraordinary, evolving from less-than-appetizing beginnings to better-tasting meals that fuel astronauts on their missions. Although Tang and its pie incarnation might not have been culinary masterpieces, they serve as a reminder of humanity’s ability to adapt and innovate, even when it comes to eating in outer space. Join the adventure of tasting history, and perhaps consider trying a slice of Tang pie as a reminder of our quest for exploration.
Part 1/9:
The Evolution of Space Food: From Squeeze Tubes to Tang Pie
When we think of space travel, the groundbreaking advancements in technology often come to mind. However, one aspect that tends to be overlooked is the food that has sustained astronauts in the harsh environment of space. In the early days of space travel, astronauts were served unpalatable options like rehydrated purees from squeeze tubes and gelatinous cubes of assorted foods. Among these, one product stood out: Tang, a drink mix that became closely associated with astronauts during the 1960s.
The Birth of Tang: A Space-age Drink
Part 2/9:
Tang was created by food scientist William Mitchell in 1957 and hit the market in 1959. NASA began sending Tang to space with astronaut John Glenn in 1962, where it was rehydrated and consumed. This led many to mistakenly believe that Tang was developed by NASA. In actuality, it was manufactured by General Foods, which skillfully capitalized on the connection between Tang and space travel in their marketing campaigns, even introducing a recipe for Astronaut Pie (or Tang Pie), which was heralded as a futuristic dessert in the late '60s.
The Challenges of Preparing Space Food
Part 3/9:
Creating meals fit for space is a daunting task. The typical home kitchen lacks the industrial equipment necessary to dehydrate and preserve food for astronaut consumption. Early astronauts had to contend with the inability to refrigerate or heat food, leading to an appreciation for modern conveniences, like refrigerators and microwaves. As a result, many space recipes require lengthy preparation that isn't feasible aboard spacecraft.
The First Meals in Space
Part 4/9:
While Tang was a signature drink, it wasn't the first food consumed in space. That honor belongs to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. He enjoyed a meal of beef and liver paste out of a tube during his historic flight on April 12, 1961. The American space program adopted similar techniques, with John Glenn reportedly consuming squeeze-packed semi-solid foods during the Mercury missions, reminiscent of baby food but intended for adults. The food had to be packaged this way to prevent mess and maintain a manageable way to eat in microgravity, a challenge further compounded when astronauts experimented with cookies during missions, which led to crumbs floating around the cabin.
Innovations and Misadventures in Space Cuisine
Part 5/9:
As astronauts continued to push the boundaries of space exploration, food technology advanced as well. The Gemini missions expanded the menu, and astronauts enjoyed a variety of meals, although they often consumed less than half of their caloric allotment due to taste issues and bodily pressures in space. The most notable meal was the Christmas dinner enjoyed aboard Apollo 8 in 1968, which utilized a new packaging technique called wet packing that preserved moisture and flavor better than prior methods. This positive experience set the stage for more enjoyable meals during lunar missions.
Shifts in Space Cuisine: The Apollo Era and Beyond
Part 6/9:
Fast forward to the Apollo missions, and astronauts were treated to slightly better food, still primarily dehydrated or freeze-dried. When Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed on the moon in 1969, they consumed a meal of bacon squares, peaches, and beef stew. However, the processes for preparing these meals still relied heavily on clever packaging and rehydration techniques.
As food technology evolved, later missions introduced refrigerated options and even allowed astronauts to enjoy dripless ice cream aboard Skylab in the 1970s. However, the popular astronaut ice cream enjoyed on Earth was never actually sent into space.
Practical Jokes and Cultural Exchanges in Space
Part 7/9:
The camaraderie between American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts led to amusing exchanges, including a memorable incident involving vodka and borscht. During a joint television event, a cosmonaut offered the American astronauts tubes labeled "vodka," only for them to discover it was actually borscht. Such lighthearted moments showcased the humanity behind the formidable task of space exploration, even in the context of food.
The Current State of Space Cuisine
By the 1990s, the variety of food available for astronauts had expanded significantly, featuring items like M&M's, fresh fruit, and even pizza. Interestingly, Tang remained a staple, with NASA confirming its inclusion in various missions as recently as 2008, albeit always in crystal form.
Tang Pie: A Nostalgic Treat
Part 8/9:
To celebrate this rich history of space food, the creator of the show offers a modern interpretation in the form of Tang Pie. Comprising basic ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, Cool Whip, sour cream, and Tang itself, this pie exemplifies the playful yet practical spirit of early space cuisine. While the taste might not be for everyone, especially those who dislike sour flavors, it represents a nostalgic nod to the past.
Conclusion
Part 9/9:
The journey of space food has been nothing short of extraordinary, evolving from less-than-appetizing beginnings to better-tasting meals that fuel astronauts on their missions. Although Tang and its pie incarnation might not have been culinary masterpieces, they serve as a reminder of humanity’s ability to adapt and innovate, even when it comes to eating in outer space. Join the adventure of tasting history, and perhaps consider trying a slice of Tang pie as a reminder of our quest for exploration.