Changes in Space Food over the Last 45 Years

FIRST TRIP TO THE MOON – APOLLO MISSIONS From 1969 through 1972, 12 U.S. astronauts made 6 landings on the Moon. A variety of foods—dehydrated foods hydrated with hot water, food preserved in thermostablized pouched foods, some tube foods, and bite-sized foods— were available to the astronauts, but they did not take the time to consume the food and did not particularly like some of these items. The nutritional values of the food reflected the Recommended Dietary Allowances of the time period. For instance, calcium intake was recommended at 800mg/d and the food system reflected that level. During the Apollo program the food system improved and many of the developments led to the Shuttle and International Space Station food systems.