May 4, 2024

What’s on the Menu? Food and Culture on the International Space Station

Find out more about the crossway of food and culture on the International Spaceport Station.
In honor of Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, discover about the intersection of food and culture in area from NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams, whose dad immigrated to the U.S. from India, and International Spaceport Station (ISS) food scientist/system manager Xulei Wu, a first-generation Asian American born in China.
Hear their stories about cultural representation in area, the value of food in Indian and Chinese cultures, and the inclusive basic menu aboard the ISS.

Video Transcript:
This is our kitchen area. You may see theres all sorts of foods here. Its like opening the refrigerator, you got all your various things that you wish to have.
Food in the Indian culture is incredibly crucial. It resembles the time naturally when everybody collects however it indicates a lot to have somebody prepare food for someone else and provide it to them as a present.
At the JC space food systems laboratory, we establish, procedure, package, and supply the bulk of the food on ISS for US OS team members.
So we have all this type of food. Some of it is dehydrated and so we have to hydrate it, fill it up with water. A few of it is already made, and then all we need to do is heat it up.
Food on the ISS is sort of an example of the many cultures that come and live on the International Space Station.
Among the basic menu, there have to do with 10 percent of main dishes that are motivated by Asian culture. They bring a special taste profile and enable ways to compensate for the low salt requirement we have to satisfy. This contributes to the range to the food system.
When I understood that there were Indian dishes on the standard menu I was quite delighted since this is something that Ive consumed for my entire life, grew up with, in specific, advises me of when I was a kid and at home with my household.
There is a popular Chinese proverb << chinese> > which suggests that food is essential to individuals.
Food is always present in our traditions. In any forms of ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations.
Meal time on the ISS is a little bit differed, however truly the most crucial meal in my mind is supper. Sharing food from possibly your household or your culture and informing each other about where it came from when you experienced it and what that suggests to you and your family.
NASA celebrates Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

You may observe theres all sorts of foods here. We have all this type of food. Amongst the standard menu, there are about 10 percent of primary meals that are inspired by Asian culture. This includes to the variety to the food system.
Sharing food from possibly your household or your culture and informing each other about where it came from when you experienced it and what that indicates to you and your family.