The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has embarked on a historic return to the moon with the Artemis II crew. The four-person team, currently in orbit, are the first humans to venture near the lunar surface in over half a century.
The crew consists of four astronauts undertaking the 10-day lunar trip: Reid Wiseman, the Commander of the Artemis II mission; Victor Glover, the Pilot of the Orion spacecraft and the first person of colour to journey into deep space; Christina Koch, Mission Specialist 1 and the first woman assigned to a lunar mission; and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist 2 and the first Canadian on a lunar mission.
In connection with the historic launch on 1 April, NASA also shared the unique food items that the Artemis II crew will eat in space during their journey—a menu that proves that the voyage into deep space can still offer flavour and variety. An extensive culinary preparation was put into meeting the astronauts' caloric and hydration needs while accommodating their individual preferences.
The Artemis II crew has access to a sophisticated menu featuring 189 unique items. From slow-cooked barbecued beef brisket to a selection of five distinct hot sauces, here is the inside look at the items and the full breakdown of the menu
Inside Artemis II Lunar Menu
The four astronauts selected for the mission were all able to provide input for the meals packed aboard the Orion capsule. According to NASA, they designed the food items and their system to meet the rigorous demands of deep-space travel.
The agency's primary challenge was to balance high-level nutrition, safety, and crew preference, all while adhering to the strict mass, volume, and power constraints of a compact, shared cabin.
On a typical mission day—excluding launch and reentry—the crew has scheduled times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each astronaut is also allotted two flavoured beverages per day, such as coffee. However, these options are strictly limited by 'upmass' constraints, which dictate exactly how much weight the spacecraft can carry.
In terms of preparation, it was made simple to ensure that meals do not interfere with critical spacecraft systems. Since Orion cannot carry refrigeration or load perishable items just before launch, the crew will rely entirely on shelf-stable meals. These options are either ready-to-eat, thermostabilised using heat to destroy microorganisms, or irradiated to eliminate bacteria.
When the Artemis II crew is ready to dine, the process is streamlined by design. While some items, such as freeze-dried meals, require rehydration via a potable water dispenser, this system is unavailable during the high-stakes launch and landing phases.
Furthermore, although there is no microwave on board, the astronauts can use a compact, briefcase-style food warmer to heat their meals, ensuring a sense of culinary comfort while 230,000 miles from home.
The 189 Unique Food Items
Among the unique items the Artemis II crew will eat in space are barbecued beef brisket and five varieties of hot sauce. The inclusion of multiple spicy condiments is a strategic choice; in microgravity, fluid shifts in the body can dull an astronaut's sense of taste, making bold, spicy flavours essential for a satisfying meal.
Beyond the brisket, the crew's main courses include comfort food staples such as macaroni and cheese, broccoli au gratin, and vegetable quiche. To avoid the hazard of floating crumbs, the menu features 58 tortillas—a reliable space-flight alternative to sliced bread.
The beverage selection is equally varied, with more than ten options available to the crew. These include mango-peach smoothies, as well as strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla breakfast drinks, ensuring the astronauts remain hydrated and energised.
To satisfy their sweet tooth, the onboard pantry is stocked with an array of desserts, including cookies, chocolates, cakes, and candy-coated almonds. The menu even features fruit-based treats like cobbler and pudding.
A selection of flavourful spreads—such as maple syrup, chocolate spread, peanut butter, honey, and cinnamon—provides the crew with a taste of home as they venture 230,000 miles from Earth.
The Difference Between Artemis II and Other Space Mission Menus
The Artemis II mission marks a clear departure from earlier space missions. As an example, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to not only reach space, but also eat there in 1961. Gagarin's meal consisted of beef and liver paste from an aluminum tube, followed by dessert: a chocolate sauce squeezed into his mouth.
In the Apollo mission, they relied heavily on freeze-dried and prepackaged food. But among all the mission on space, the International Space Station may have it best as they benefit from regular resupply missions that can bring them fresher food, meaning their diet isn't all that different from what is eaten on Earth.
According to NASA, the menu they curated for this mission reflects decades of advancement in space food systems.
