Artemis II Food Menu Revealed: From 5 Hot Sauces And 10+ Beverages To Cobbler, Here’s What NASA Astronauts Will Eat In Space

The crew of Artemis II has begun its much-awaited journey around the Moon after a successful launch. The four-member team includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. Their mission is a key step in NASA’s plan to land humans on the Moon again by 2028.

Strict Food Planning For Space Travel

With no option to restock or refrigerate, every meal on board the Orion spacecraft has been carefully planned in advance. All food must be shelf-stable, easy to store, and safe to consume in space.

NASA worked closely with the crew to finalize a menu that meets nutrition needs while staying within limits of weight, space, and power. Some meals can be rehydrated using water, while others can be warmed in a compact food heater designed for microgravity conditions.

From Tortillas To Hot Sauce: What’s On The Menu

The astronauts won’t be short of variety. Their menu includes everyday favourites like almonds, cashews, granola with blueberries, and tortillas.

Main meal options range from barbecued beef brisket and macaroni and cheese to couscous, breakfast sausage, and wheat flatbread. Vegetables and fruits include mango salad, broccoli gratin, tropical fruit mix, cauliflower, and spicy green beans.

There’s also a wide range of condiments like peanut butter, honey, chocolate spread, and even five types of hot sauce. For those with a sweet tooth, cookies, chocolates, pudding, and cobbler are part of the menu.

Coffee, Drinks And Meal Routine In Space

Each astronaut is allowed two flavored drinks a day, including coffee. NASA estimates the crew will go through the equivalent of 43 cups of coffee during the mission.

Other drink options include green tea, cocoa, smoothies, lemonade, and fruit-based beverages. Meals are scheduled as breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with food packed in multi-day containers to give astronauts some choice.

How Space Meals Change During The Journey

The food system also changes depending on the phase of the mission. During launch and re-entry, astronauts rely on ready-to-eat items as water systems are not available. Once in transit, they can access a wider range of meals, including freeze-dried food that requires hydration.

Unlike astronauts on the International Space Station, who receive regular resupplies, the Artemis II crew must rely entirely on what they carry, making careful planning essential for the journey.

ALSO READ: Artemis II Launch: Historic Moon Mission Takes Off For First Visit In 50 Years With Four Astronauts—Know Everything About The Journey Here