Systems and Material Research Corporation (SMRC) in Austin Texas have been given a grant of $125,000 to develop 3D printed food for astronauts.
You could ask why, what’s wrong with dehydrated mac and cheese? Well there are numerous challenges to feeding and hydrating the residents of somewhere like the International Space Station.
For one, there is limited space. There are also no refrigeration facilities. Currently shuttles are stocked with enough food to last the full length of the mission, plus extra should they encounter any emergencies. This is fine for short missions but it becomes more of an issue when the shuttle will be in orbit long term.
The challenge for SMRC is to produce a prototype that can
“synthesise” healthy and tasty food that will beat the dehydrated meals
currently eaten by the astronauts. The plan is to use a combination of
3d printing, which will provide macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein
and fat needed for calories or energy) and inkjet printing, which will
provide the flavour, smell and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
In order to make sure the food actually tastes and smells of what it is supposed to be, SMRC are also working along with the food science program at North Carolina State University. Who knows maybe it will receive a Michelin Star!
If this works, then there will be no need to take along full pre-packed meals. Instead they will be able to take just generic or basic ingredients which can then be printed into a meal.
So, squid ink pasta anyone?
You could ask why, what’s wrong with dehydrated mac and cheese? Well there are numerous challenges to feeding and hydrating the residents of somewhere like the International Space Station.
For one, there is limited space. There are also no refrigeration facilities. Currently shuttles are stocked with enough food to last the full length of the mission, plus extra should they encounter any emergencies. This is fine for short missions but it becomes more of an issue when the shuttle will be in orbit long term.
*Data explains how the food replicator works to L.Q. “Sonny” Clemonds. Someone from NASA must have been taking notes.
In order to make sure the food actually tastes and smells of what it is supposed to be, SMRC are also working along with the food science program at North Carolina State University. Who knows maybe it will receive a Michelin Star!
If this works, then there will be no need to take along full pre-packed meals. Instead they will be able to take just generic or basic ingredients which can then be printed into a meal.
So, squid ink pasta anyone?
