The year 2019 ended on a high note for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as India’s most historic space mission Chandrayaan 2 was completed. And, now ISRO is focussed on its new mission Gaganyaan which is an Indian Human Spaceflight Programme that aims to send 3 astronauts to space for 7 days.
While it sounds fascinating, the ambitious mission requires a lot of hard work, planning, testing, and development. One of the most crucial factors for the survival of the astronauts will be food. A Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) has released the list of exclusive food items that are being prepared for the astronauts of India’s first human space flight, reports Hindustan Times. The lab is a part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Have a look at some of their meals:
For the Indian astronauts scheduled to go into Space in Mission Gaganyan, food items including Egg rolls, Veg rolls, Idli, Moong dal halwa and Veg pulav have been prepared by the Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore. Food heaters would also be provided to them. pic.twitter.com/gDgt9BJpb2
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2020
The wide menu includes ready-to-eat dishes like egg rolls, upma, idli and sambhar, moong dal halwa and vegetable pulav. The menu will now be thoroughly evaluated by ISRO.
DFRL director Anil Semwal was quoted by Times of India saying, “It’s now for them (ISRO and astronauts) to finalize which dishes they would like and then we can even make modifications. Apart from the food, we are also tasked with providing food-warmer technology, stainless steel cutlery, and waste disposal pack.”
To help astronauts drink liquids like water and juices, special containers have been developed that can be used in space where there is no gravity.
To help astronauts drink liquids including water and juices in Space where there is no gravity, special containers have also been developed for Mission Gaganyan. https://t.co/TWCaEMjYL7 pic.twitter.com/Ar6C1vXwRA
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2020
Many people joked about the ‘desi dishes’ for the astronauts:
That's basically paper boat juice packet.
— Aayush tekriwal (@Aayush_200) January 7, 2020
MDH wale chacha sponsor kr rahe kya?
— Tweeting Quarantino ➐ (@rohitadhikari92) January 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/CupidBheem/status/1214417842730221568?s=20
So space will smell of indian spices for very very long time 😀😀
— RamuKaka (@ramukakasays) January 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/Anjani_Putra_/status/1214507108885942273?s=20
https://twitter.com/iamurarijit/status/1214421300824793088?s=20
Modi hai to fafda, dhokla, thepla ye sab kyon nahi 😜😜
— Har Saans Me Nationalism🤗🙏 (@being_tabas) January 7, 2020
@SwiggyCares will you deliver it there?
— Unreserved Bihari (@manna_018) January 7, 2020
poor NASA astronauts survive on minimum calories and MRE meals and here we are feeding idli and pulav to our astronauts for a 7 day trip😂
— Rajesh Pantula (@pantularajesh) January 7, 2020
Many others had suggestions for the astronaut’s food menu:
How about some Mysore Pak for the Alien Space Creatures??😀😀♥️
— NIRANJANA CHELUR (@MAXCHELUR) January 7, 2020
Biryani kaha hai 😂
— Ajay Shrivastva🇮🇳 (@Ajay4Bihar) January 7, 2020
Plz consider maggi and vadapav too😂😂😂😂
— Dr anoop (@DrAnoop9) January 7, 2020
Aaloo ki bori ?Aaloo Paratha ? Difficult to survive without these . @isro please reconsider
— TobyHater (@tweetfromluv) January 7, 2020
Momo should also be added
— nikhil chandak 🇮🇳 (@nickchndk) January 7, 2020
Chicken tikka? Butter chicken? Roti & naan?
— Kokum Sherbet (@kokumsherbet) January 7, 2020
Please add Fafda & Jalebi
— Norbert Elekes (@LoveGuru_Gyan) January 7, 2020