Gaganyaan Astronauts Will Eat Indian Dishes Like Chicken Biryani, Halwa In Space

ISRO is leaving no stone unturned for its first human spaceflight -- Gaganyaan -- that is expected to blast off sometime next year. Select Indian Air Force pilots are already undergoing training in Russia.

And now, ISRO has revealed the menu of food items that they¡¯ll carry with them to space.

Pic Courtesy: Hans India

Researchers at the Defence Food Research Laboratory have experimented with an array of ingredients for nearly two years to fabricate a true Indian meal for the Gaganyaan astronauts who will be visiting space. This was revealed by the Defence Food Research Laboratory at the Aero India 2021 held at Yelahanka air base last week.

Indian food in space

Some of the dishes on this menu include the beloved chicken biryani, chicken korma, Shahi paneer, the humble dal-chawal, aloo parantha, preserved chapatis, dal makhani, khichdi, and even beans in sauce. The menu also includes the beloved accompaniment -- aam ka achaar.

But that¡¯s not all. For astronauts who can¡¯t resist their sweet tooth, they¡¯ve also created moong dal halwa, sooji halwa, dried apricot, as well a variety of flavoured energy bars. The kits will also include special straws for drinking liquids in zero gravity as well as food warmers and waste-restraining bags.

Getty Images

But this feast isn¡¯t developed disregarding its nutritional value. One of the scientists with the DRFL said in a statement, ¡°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.¡±

Another scientist added, ¡°American astronauts carry food that suits their taste. So do the Russians. We Indians like saying ¡®it tastes just like home food.¡¯ And home food is what our astronauts will carry.¡±

What do American astronauts eat in space?

It¡¯s not just Indian astronauts who¡¯re looking to bring delicious food to space, America has been doing this since way back. Dating back to the Apollo missions, NASA has offered a variety of delicacies for its astronauts including pineapple cake, peaches, chocolate pudding, even brownies and breakfast cereal with milk.

Today, astronauts on the ISS are seen consuming all sorts of dishes like pizza, and even Thanksgiving Food like smoked turkey, candied yams, cornbread dressing and many other classic holiday favourites.

NASA

What do Russian astronauts eat in space?

Russian astronauts have a wide variety of dishes in their menu too -- over 400 dishes. This includes iconic dishes such as borsch, rassolnik, soups, lamb with vegetables, beef tongue with olives and a variety of other dishes using the beloved cottage cheese. Most of the food is dehydrated to reduce the weight of the food while also helping it store longer.

What do Japanese astronauts eat in space?

Japanese astronauts don¡¯t have a large menu like others on this list, but they¡¯ve got the basics right dishes such as sushi, ramen, yokan and rice with ume for its astronauts.

Discoverspace.org

What do Chinese astronauts eat in space

China too isn¡¯t behind in treating its astronauts with classic dishes they¡¯ve eaten over the years. When China sent its first astronauts to space in 2003, Astronaut Yang Liwei brought classics like yuxiang pork, Kung Pao chicken, rice as well as Chinese herbal tea.