What do astronauts even eat in space? Do they savour specialised food or simple dal-chawal? Well, to satisfy your curiosity we’ve got our hands on the exclusive menu that astronauts on the soon-to-be-launched Gaganyaan mission will eat. This list includes Indian staples like everyone’s comfort food khichdi, South Indian delight idli and even rich moong dal halwa. Read on to know more.
Astronauts On Gaganyaan Mission Will Get Indian Food Like Poha, Biryani In Outer Space
Poha or idli-sambhar for breakfast, biryani for lunch, egg rolls when peckish, or moong dal halwa for dessert, astronauts aboard the spacecraft soon-to-be-launched Gaganyaan mission will have a choicest of Indian delicacies to savour during their stay in space. The menu for the astronauts aboard the Gaganyaan has been designed by Mysore-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL). This establishment develops food products for the army and scientists on board the Antarctic expedition. They put together a total of 30 dishes, which include poha or idli-sambhar for breakfast, biriyani for lunch, egg rolls when peckish, or moong dal halwa for dessert.
Also Read: Food Route Ep 1: Khichdi, The Food Of India
Desserts Like Moong Dal Halwa & Sooji Halwa Also Added To Meals
Jealous much? These astronauts are hand-picked fighter pilots from the Indian Air Force who are currently undergoing training in Russia. Gaganyaan said India’s first crewed spaceflight, Gaganyaan, lifts off next year, starting a new era of space exploration. Kicking off a new era of space exploration, the astronauts on board will carry a selection of special foods developed by a military laboratory after experimenting with ingredients for almost two years.The DFRL’s Space Food and Logistics wing, which showcased the products at Aero India-2021 held at Yelahanka air base last week, has also included deserts (because why not?) such as moong dal halwa, sooji halwa, dried apricot, and a range of flavoured energy bars.
For the Indian astronauts scheduled to go into Space in Mission Gaganyan, food items including Egg rolls, Veg rolls, Idli, Moong dal halwa and Veg pulav have been prepared by the Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore. Food heaters would also be provided to them. pic.twitter.com/gDgt9BJpb2
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2020
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Astronauts To Get Indian Food That Taste Like Home
According to Hindustan Times, a senior scientist at DFRL said, “We have focused on nutrient adequacy and wholesomeness. Low fragmentation is equally critical in the zero-gravity environment. The astronauts will eat three meals a day, with the diet adding up to 2,500 calories.” DFRL has prepared the menu with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). They said that astronauts of countries such as America, Russia, and others carry the food that suits their taste and the Indian team wishes to give each astronaut food that tastes just like home. The kits carried by the astronauts will include special straws (or what the DFRL calls a liquid delivery system) for drinking water and instant coffee/tea, food warmers, and waste restraining bags. Well, there’s nothing like savouring food that tastes like home, that applies to everyone even celebrities.