What Will NASA's Artemis Astronauts Eat During Their Moon Missions?

Why It Matters

What astronauts eat and how meals are prepared directly affect crew health, performance and morale on lunar missions, and NASA’s food systems and scheduling choices shape operational planning and life-support logistics for Artemis.

Summary

NASA showcased the food system for Artemis missions, with astronauts Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen sampling diverse rehydratable meals at the Johnson Space Center food lab and describing how food will be prepared and warmed aboard Orion using a briefcase-style heater and potable water dispenser. The lab packages and tests foods to meet strict safety, nutritional and taste standards while accommodating individual preferences and variety. Crew training highlights mission-day constraints—limited time to warm meals, a long first day before launch—and the importance of shared, scheduled mealtimes. NASA emphasizes both the logistics of food prep and the role of communal meals in crew routine and morale.

Original Description

Artemis 2 astronauts Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen talk about eating in space during Artemis missions to the moon.

Credit: NASA

Writer: Erika Peters

Editor: Phil Sexton

Producers: Rad Sinyak, Erika Peters