June 12, 2024

Do you know about the food astronauts eat in space? 🍽️

In this episode, we will learn a little about food and eating in space. We will look at the history of the food astronauts eat, comparing what it was like to how it is today. We will also look at how they eat in space. Then we answer questions from Rowan Olsen, who wants to know why oil is slippery, Omari in Vancouver, BC, who wants to know about the Big Bang, and George in Melbourne, Australia, who asks why sand on your shoes can make playground equipment more slippery.


Sleep Tight!, 
Sheryl & Clark
❤️👂📖

---

📢 Have an interesting science topic you would like to investigate? Send us an email at hello@sleeptightscience.com , and we may feature it in an upcoming show.

👉 First time listening to Sleep Tight Science? Please follow us or listen on Spotify.

❤️ We would love to hear from you, reach out to us via email.

 ---

About Sleep Tight Science

We’ve got bedtime down to a (Sleep Tight) Science! Sleep Tight Science is an engaging bedtime show that makes science accessible and enjoyable for the whole family. Snuggle in and drift off to sleep while learning about science topics submitted by listeners! Designed for curious young minds (but simple enough for grown-ups to understand), Sleep Tight Science uses big words to answer big questions that kids wonder about, like why do we feel icky sometimes and how do our legs help us move? Learn something new about the natural world while drifting off to dreamland. Have an interesting science question or a topic you’re curious about? Email us at hello@sleeptightscience.com, and it might just be the focus of an upcoming episode!

Dedicated to enhancing the health and happiness of children, Sleep Tight Media helps families replace bedtime struggles with bedtime snuggles. 

 

Transcript
00:00:44
Speaker 1: Hi, science fans, Guess what. We are launching season four of sleep Tight Science this September, and we need your help to make it extra special. Did you know that your voice can be part of our show? We want to hear your amazing voices in our show opening. It's super easy and fun to join in. Just record yourself saying you are listening to sleep Tight Science, then send your recording to the email address in our show notes.

00:01:19
Speaker 2: How cool is that.

00:01:21
Speaker 1: We can't wait to hear all your fantastic voices. Thank you for listening. You're listening to sleep Tight Science. Did you know space smells funny? What? Astronauts describe the smell of space as a mix of hot metal, welding fumes, and seared steak, which clings to their suits after spacewalks. Hello, friends, and welcome back to sleep Tight Science, a bedtime show that answers your questions about science. In this episode, we will talk about eating food in space and discover how astronauts enjoy their meals while floating around in microgravity. We will also answer some really interesting listener questions.

00:02:38
Speaker 2: And leave you with some silly questions before lawn into the delicious world of space.

00:02:46
Speaker 1: Cuisine. Let's first explore the basics of space travel. The challenge is astronauts space and why eating in space is so different from eating on Earth. This will help us understand the unique requirements of space food. Space travel refers to the journey of humans or robots beyond Earth's atmosphere into outer space. It involves complex missions to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, often conducted by space agencies like NASA, ESAU, CNSA and private companies like SpaceX. These missions aim to expand our knowledge of the universe, conduct scientific experiments, and potentially discover new places for humans to live. Traveling into the unknown sparks our curiosity and wonder, tapping into our desire to explore and discover new places. If only it was as easy as we see in some movies. Leaving Earth's atmosphere presents numerous challenges due to the harsh environment of space. Here are some key difficulties astronauts face. One. In space, astronauts experience microgravity, meaning there is very little gravity. This causes their bodies to float, which affects almost every aspect of daily life, including eating, sleeping, and working. Number two, space lacks the protective atmosphere of Earth, exposing astronauts to to higher levels of cosmic radiation. This can increase the risk of health issues like cancer. Number three. Astronauts live and work in confined spaces for extended periods, often far from Earth. This isolation can impact their mental health and well being. Finally, Number four, maintaining life support systems such as air, water, and temperature control is critical in the hostile environment of space. Eating in space is a unique experience due to the lack of gravity and the confined environment of spacecraft and space stations. But what are some key differences between eating in space and on Earth. On Earth, gravity keeps food on our plates and drinks in our cups. In microgravity, food and liquids float, making it challenging to eat and drink. Astronauts must use specially designed containers and utensils to prevent food from floating away. Imagine trying to drink your milk as it was floating up and out of your glass. Can you imagine eating peas in space? Space food must be carefully prepared and packaged to remain safe and nutritious during the mission. Most space food is freeze dried or vacuum sealed to preserve its shelf life and prevents spoilage. Astronauts add water to rehydrate, freeze dried meals, and use special heating devices to warm their food. Since space missions can last for months, maintaining proper nutrition is crucial for astronauts health and performance. Space food must provide all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to keep astronauts healthy in the demanding environment of space. Additionally, the sense of taste can change in space, so food must be flavorful to make sure astronauts keep their appetite. For instance, an astronaut might find that foods like spaghetti with marinara sauce taste much less flavorful than on Earth. To compensate, astronauts often crave and add strong flavored foods and condiments such as hot sauce, mustard, or horseradish to enhance the flavor of them meals and make eating more enjoyable. Lastly, food plays a significant role in an astronaut's mental well being. Familiar and enjoyable meals can provide comfort and a sense of normalcy during long missions. Space agencies often include favorite foods and special treats to boost morale. What food would you want to take if you were traveling to Mars? I would bring cookies and cinnamon rolls. Did you know astronauts can make a space version of pizza on the International Space Station. Astronauts use tortillas, squeeze cheese, and other toppings to make a zero gravity pizza that doesn't to create crumbs. Space food has come a long way from toothpaste like tubes to delicious and varied meals. It's not just about staying nourished, it's also about enjoying meals and maintaining astronauts health and happiness while in space. Next, let's examine the history of space food and see how what astronauts eat has changed from the early days of space travel till now. When space travel first began, the food astronauts ate was quite different from what we enjoyed on Earth. In the nineteen sixties, during the time of the first manned space missions, food needed to be lightweight, compact, and easy to eat in a microgravity environment. The very first space food looked more like toothpaste than a meal. It came in squeezable tubes and bite sized cubes coated in gelatin to prevent crumbs. Crumbs can be a big problem in space because they float around and could damage equipment or be inhaled by the astronauts. Astronaut John Glenn was the first American to eat in space. During his Mercury Atlas six mission in nineteen sixty two. He ate apple sauce, sugar tablets, and xylos, a type of sugar in bite sized cubes. It wasn't very tasty or satisfying, but provided the necessary nutrients. By the time of the Apollo missions in the late nineteen sixties and early nineteen seventies, space food had started to improve. NASA introduced lightweight freeze dried foods that could be rehydrated with water. Freeze drying removes moisture from food, making it lighter and preserving its nutrients and flavor. The astronauts had a wider variety of foods to choose from, including shrimp, cocktail, beef stew, and even bacon squares yum. One of the most famous moments in space food history was when the Apollo eleven astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin ate their first meal on the Moon.

00:11:40
Speaker 2: Their lunar meal.

00:11:41
Speaker 1: Included bacon squares, peaches, sugar, cookies, and coffee. It was a big step forward from the early tube foods. When the Space Shuttle program began in the nineteen eighties, space food continued to evolve. The Space Shuttle had more room and better facilities for storing and preparing food, so astronauts had more choices and better tasting meals. They could use hot water to rehydrate freeze dried foods, and even had an onboard oven to warm their meals. Men Us expanded to include a wider variety of foods, such as tortillas, which were preferred over bread because they didn't create crumbs. Astronauts could also enjoy hot beverages like tea, coffee, and even hot chocolate. They had condiments like ketchup mustard and hot sauce to add flavor to their meals. Today, astronauts on the International Space Station or ISS, have a much more sophisticated menu. Space agencies from around the world contribute to the food supply, so a wide variety of international dishes are available. The food is still mostly freeze dried or vacuum sealed, but it's much tastier and more diverse. Astronauts on the ISS can enjoy dishes like chicken karaoke, spaghetti with meat sauce, and even desserts like chocolate pudding cake.

00:13:31
Speaker 2: They also have.

00:13:32
Speaker 1: Fresh fruits and vegetables sent up on resupply missions, which are a real treat in space. Some astronauts even bring special treats from home, like favorite candies or snacks, to share with their crewmates. Recent innovations in space food technology include developing three D printed food and growing plants in space. Scientists are experimenting with three D printers that can create customized meals for astronauts using edible ingredients. Growing plants on the ISS, like lettuce and radishes, provides fresh food and helps astronauts enjoy the psychological benefit of gardening. Who knows what tasty innovations the future of space food will bring. Did you know that astronauts cannot burp in space? In microgravity, gas and liquid don't separate in the stomach, so burping can bring up a mix of both. That is why astronauts are careful with fizzy drinks. Next, let's float right into some listener questions. First up is Rowan Olson, who is eight years old. Rowan wants to know why oil is slippery. Oil is made up of very smooth molecules with a shape that allows them to slide past each other easily. These molecules don't stick to each other like water molecules do. Instead, they roll around and move freely. This is why when you touch oil, it feels slippery and slick. Imagine trying to walk on a floor covered in tiny, sma smooth marbles. Those marbles would roll under your feet, making it hard to stand or walk without slipping. This is similar to.

00:15:54
Speaker 2: How oil behaves.

00:15:56
Speaker 1: When oil is spread on a surface, its molecules act like those tiny marbles, making the surface very slippery. Another reason oil is slippery is that it reduces friction. Friction is the force that happens when two surfaces rub against each other, and it usually helps us grip things. For example, when you rub your hands together, they feel warm because of friction. But when oil is present, it creates a smooth layer between the surfaces, reducing the friction and making it easy for them to slide past each other. This slippery property of oil is very you full in many ways. For instance, oil is used in car engines to lubricate the moving parts. This lubrication reduces friction and prevents the parts from getting worn out quickly. It helps the engine run smoothly and efficiently. So oil is slippery because its molecules are smooth and can slide past each other easily, and because it reduces friction between surfaces. This makes it useful for lots of things, like keeping car engines running smoothly or helping parts move without getting stuck. Thank you for the question. Rowan next Omari, who is seven in Vancouver, British Columbia, asks how scientists know the Big Bang happened. Scientists, who sometimes act like detectives, know the Big Bang happened by examining several key pieces of evidence that point to this event as the beginning of our universe. One major clue is the discovery that the universe is expanding.

00:18:04
Speaker 2: This was first.

00:18:05
Speaker 1: Observed by Edwin Hubble, who found that galaxies are moving away from each other, indicating that the universe is stretching out like an inflating balloon. If we imagine rewinding this expansion, it suggests that everything was once concentrated in a very small, hot, and dense point. Another crucial piece of evidence is the cosmic microwave background or CMB radiation. The CMB is a faint glow that fills the end higher universe and can be detected in every direction. It represents the heat left over from the Big Bang just a few hundred thousand years after the event, when the universe had cooled enough for light to travel freely. This afterglow provides a snapshot of the early universe and supports the idea that it started with a massive explosion. Also, the abundance of light elements in the universe, such as hydrogen and helium, aligns with predictions made by the Big Bang theory. According to this theory, these elements were formed during the first few minutes after the Big Bang in a process known as nucleosynthesis. The observed proportions of these elements matched the calculations, further confirming the theory. By combining these observations, the expanding universe, the cosmic microwave background, and the relative amounts of light elements, scientists have built a strong case for the Big Bang as the origin of our universe. These pieces of evidence fit together like a puzzle, providing a reasonable picture of how the universe began. Thank you for the question Omari. Our last question comes from George, who is six years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia. George asks why does sand on your shoes make play equipment more slippery? Sand on your shoes makes play equipment more slippery because the tiny grains of sand act like miniature ball bearings. When you step on the play equipment, the sand and grains roll around under your shoes, reducing the friction between your shoes and the surface.

00:20:53
Speaker 2: Friction, if you.

00:20:54
Speaker 1: Remember, is the force that helps your shoes grip the surface, preventing you from slipping. When there's sand, this grip is reduced, making it easier for you to slip. Now, let's compare this to why oil is slippery.

00:21:14
Speaker 2: Oil is slippery.

00:21:15
Speaker 1: Because it has a smooth, greasy texture. The molecules in oil can slide past each other very easily, creating a slippery layer on any surface. This also reduces friction, making it hard for your hands or feet to grip onto things. Imagine walking on a surface covered in tiny smooth marbles. They would roll around and make it difficult to keep your balance. That's similar to how oil works. It creates a slick layer that reduces friction. In both cases, whether it's sand or oil, the reduction in friction is what makes the surface slippery. Sand creates a layer of rolling particles that move around under pressure, while oil forms a smooth, slippery film. Both materials decrease the friction between your shoes and the play equipment, making it easier to lose your grip and slip. Understanding friction and how different materials interact with surfaces helps explain why certain substances like sand and oil can make things more slippery. Thank you for the.

00:22:43
Speaker 2: Question, George.

00:22:59
Speaker 1: Just before we leave you, we have a couple of silly questions. What do you call a meal in space? The answer is a launch? And finally, what is an astronaut's favorite chocolate? A milky way? In this episode, we learned a little about food and eating in space. We looked at the history of food in space, comparing what it was like to how it is today. We also looked at how astronauts eat in space. Then we had questions from Rowan Olsen who wanted to know why oil is slippery, O'mari in Vancouver, British Columbia who wanted to know about the Big Bang, and George in Melbourne, Australia, who asked why sand on your shoes can make playground equipment more slippery. Thank you to Archer who is six years old, Bruno Fisher who is five, Riley age seven in Bensville, New South Wales, Australia, Noah who is seven in Shropshire, England, Jessica Riley Hale, Sam Tayl Tony del Barrio, Ira Haldar Ellowen Olson who is six years old, and Ian from Ohio who is five and a half. We would love to get your feedback on our show. If you have any feedback, please send it our way. If you want to make sure you get all the episodes, please ask your parents to subscribe. You can find us on Apple podcasts or wherever your parents listen to podcasts. If you love learning about science with us, please leave us a review. It may help others find our show. If you'd like to send us your questions, please send them to Hello at sleep tightscience dot com.

00:25:14
Speaker 2: Sleep Tight