Imagine savoring a sizzling plate of barbecue chicken wings or a perfectly cooked steak—not at your favorite restaurant, but floating in space. Yes, you read that right. China’s space station has just leveled up its culinary game, and it’s as fascinating as it sounds. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: this isn’t just about food; it’s a leap forward in space technology and human adaptability. Let’s dive into how astronauts are now enjoying gourmet meals in orbit and what it means for the future of space exploration.
In a viral video beamed down from China’s space station, Shenzhou XXI crew member and space engineer Wu Fei is seen transforming a simple package of marinated chicken wings into a mouthwatering dish. After carefully placing the wings on a skewer rack and sliding them into the station’s high-tech oven, the result is nothing short of extraordinary: a plate of New Orleans-style chicken wings, sizzling and ready to be devoured. And that’s not all—Wu Fei, along with fellow astronaut Wang Jie, both from Inner Mongolia (a region celebrated for its premium beef and mutton), also baked black pepper steaks. The six astronauts shared the meal, their smiles speaking volumes about the joy of a home-cooked meal—even in space.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this focus on gourmet meals in space a luxury, or a necessity for long-term missions? While some argue it’s a distraction from more critical research, others believe it’s essential for maintaining morale and mental health during extended stays in orbit. What do you think? Let’s discuss in the comments.
The Shenzhou XXI spaceship, launched late on a Friday, docked with the space station hours later, bringing its three crew members to join the Shenzhou-20 team. Together, they’ve been living and working in harmony, with the Shenzhou-20 crew scheduled to return to Earth on November 5. This overlap allows for knowledge sharing and a seamless transition in space station operations.
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the space oven. This isn’t your average kitchen appliance. According to Liu Weibo from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, the oven has been significantly upgraded to meet the unique challenges of space. It features precise temperature control, residue collection, high-temperature catalysis, and multi-layer filtration, ensuring smoke-free baking that complies with the station’s strict oil fume emission standards. The oven and its purification system underwent rigorous testing to guarantee reliability for up to 500 cycles—a testament to Chinese engineering prowess.
This innovation marks a major advancement in the life support system of China’s space station. The Shenzhou XXI mission has expanded the astronauts’ menu to over 190 items, with a 10-day cycle that includes fresh vegetables, nuts, cakes, and meats. Liu Weibo explains that after months in the confined space of the station, enjoying aromatic chicken wings, steaks, or freshly baked bread can significantly boost morale and create a sense of normalcy.
And this is the part most people miss: China’s manned space program isn’t just about exploration; it’s about making space feel like home. Since entering the space station application and development phase, ground researchers have continuously improved space food through technological innovation. They’ve enhanced variety, texture, flavor, appearance, and nutritional value, ensuring astronauts’ dietary needs are met—and exceeded. For instance, the space station’s vegetable garden has made remarkable progress. Using regenerative substrate, long-term controlled-release fertilizer, and microporous water conduction technology, the garden has successfully grown 10 batches of seven plant species, including lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. This has provided astronauts with 4.5 kg of fresh produce, with lettuce and cherry tomatoes achieving full-cycle cultivation from seed to seed.
To add a touch of home, the station even prepares special feasts for traditional Chinese festivals, complete with gift packages that can only be opened on the day of the celebration. As Zang Peng from the center puts it, these efforts are about more than just food—they’re about preserving culture and connection, even in the vastness of space.
So, as we marvel at astronauts grilling steaks in orbit, let’s also reflect on the broader implications. Is this the future of long-term space living? And how far are we willing to go to make space feel like home? Share your thoughts below—this conversation is just getting started.
