Astronauts to Celebrate Thanksgiving with Customary meal – and Lobster – Aboard the International Space Station
HOUSTON – November 26,2024 – Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will enjoy a thanksgiving feast this Thursday,November 28,2024,featuring both classic holiday staples and a surprising addition: lobster. The specialized menu, carefully prepared and launched to the orbiting laboratory, aims to boost morale during the extended mission far from home.
This year’s Thanksgiving in space marks a continuing effort by NASA to provide astronauts with familiar comforts and a sense of normalcy during long-duration spaceflight. The psychological benefits of shared traditions, like a holiday meal, are considered crucial for maintaining crew cohesion and well-being. The inclusion of lobster, a relatively uncommon Thanksgiving dish, represents a special treat curated to enhance the celebratory experience.
The Thanksgiving menu includes thermostabilized sweet potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce, all packaged for space consumption. Rehydratable mashed potatoes and gravy will also be part of the meal, alongside turkey – a key component of the traditional Thanksgiving spread. The lobster, a new addition to the ISS Thanksgiving menu, was selected to provide a unique and festive element.
“We try to give them a little bit of a taste of home,” saeid Space Food Systems Scientist Vickie Kloeris in a statement. “It’s important to have those familiar flavors and textures, especially during the holidays.”
NASA has been sending special meals to astronauts for decades, adapting recipes and packaging to meet the challenges of a zero-gravity surroundings. Food must be shelf-stable, lightweight, and easy to prepare with limited resources. The agency collaborates with food scientists and companies to develop innovative solutions for space cuisine, ensuring astronauts receive nutritious and palatable meals throughout their missions.
The six astronauts currently aboard the ISS represent the United States, Japan, and Russia. They are conducting a variety of scientific experiments in microgravity, including research on human health, materials science, and Earth observation. The Thanksgiving meal will provide a brief respite from their demanding work schedule, fostering a sense of community and gratitude as they orbit approximately 250 miles above Earth.
