INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION — This year, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are celebrating Thanksgiving with a menu far more gourmet than the simple, paste-like meals of the Apollo era.
Thanks to a recent SpaceX resupply mission, the crew will enjoy a feast that brings a taste of Earthly luxury and comfort to orbit, 250 miles above the planet. The menu is a testament to advances in space food technology, moving well beyond the “turkey salad that resembled salmon-colored glue” consumed by early astronauts.
The special holiday meal features a wide range of items designed to boost morale and provide a sense of normalcy during long missions:
- Seafood Delights: Clams, oysters, crab meat, and smoked salmon.
- Poultry Variety: Traditional turkey alongside quail.
- Traditional Sides: Dehydrated mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, and green beans with mushrooms.
- Treats: Candies, almond butter, hummus, and pumpkin spice cappuccinos.
NASA astronaut Cardman shared a video showing pouches of the festive foods floating in microgravityunderscoring the shift toward more appetizing and diverse meals.
Space food experts emphasize that elaborate holiday meals are critical for the psychological well-being of astronauts living in isolation. Mark Marquette, director of the American Space Museum in Titusville, noted that replicating familiar dishes is essential for maintaining a sense of humanity and connection to home.
Since the first orbital Thanksgiving observed by Skylab 4 astronauts in 1973, the tradition has evolved significantly. Modern ISS crews, now a multinational “space family,” enjoy a wide selection of thermostabilized and rehydratable foods that closely resemble their Earth-based counterparts.
For astronauts, Thanksgiving is about more than the food it is a tradition of sharing a meaningful meal with their “space family,” welcoming new crewmates launching on this very holiday.
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