NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded in space for over 50 days due to a helium leak, and face several health challenges including bone density loss. NASA provides specialised space foods to keep astronauts healthy during space missions. Take a look:
Items, such as soups, casseroles and breakfast foods, have water removed before launch to reduce weight. They are eaten after being rehydrated with water generated on the shuttle.
Fruits and fish like tuna and salmon are canned using heat to preserve freshness. These cans come with easy-to-open lids for convenience.
According to NASA, to preserve these foods (meat steak and smoked turkey) at room temperature, they are heated, sealed in flexible foil pouches, and then sterilised using ionising radiation.
These ready-to-eat items, including nuts, granola bars and cookies are packaged in flexible pouches for convenience.