What food options are available for NASA's Artemis II moon astronauts?

      NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, are now less than 24 hours away from their flight to the moon.

      The Artemis II mission is set to launch from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 1. After the crew is lifted into space by NASA’s powerful SLS rocket, they will spend approximately one day in Earth orbit evaluating the Orion spacecraft’s systems before altering their course to head toward the moon.

      This mission does not include a lunar landing. Instead, the astronauts will orbit the moon before returning home, with the entire journey expected to take about 10 days.

      What meals will keep the crew energized throughout this remarkable expedition?

      The food selections are crafted to promote the crew's health and performance, and since there is no option for resupply or refrigeration, all provisions must be shelf-stable and easy to prepare and consume in the spacecraft.

      “Menu items are created in collaboration with space food specialists and the crew to balance calorie requirements, hydration, and nutrient levels while respecting individual preferences,” NASA stated in a post regarding the meals for the Artemis II mission.

      The menu features a variety of items including tortillas, vegetable quiche, mango salad, nuts, macaroni and cheese, and tropical fruit salad. During their journey to and from the moon, the astronauts will also enjoy treats like granola with blueberries, barbecued beef brisket, and spicy green beans.

      Drink options will include coffee, green tea, mango-peach smoothies, lemonade, and cocoa. While it might be tempting to celebrate a lunar flyby with champagne, no alcohol will be included on the Orion.

      The food provided is certainly an upgrade from that of the last Apollo astronauts who ventured to the moon over fifty years ago.

      Back then, astronaut food was limited and often unappealing, mainly consisting of small cubes, freeze-dried powders, and meals packaged in tubes that lacked variety and texture. In contrast, the members of the Artemis II crew will benefit from decades of advancements—thanks in part to experiences on the International Space Station—allowing them to enjoy food that is both tastier and more nutritious.

      NASA plans to utilize insights gained from the Artemis II mission to enhance understanding of how astronauts eat and manage food efficiently in a confined spacecraft, with these findings guiding preparations for future, longer crewed missions into deep space.

      Interested in watching a livestream of the Artemis II crew launch on their historic mission from Florida’s Space Coast on Wednesday? Digital Trends has you covered.