China is upgrading everyday life aboard its Tiangong space station as longer human missions become a bigger part of its space programme.
The Astronaut Center of China, along with several private companies, has developed an upgraded “space kitchen” equipped with intelligent appliances for drinking water, reheating food and baking. The new system allows astronauts to have hot meals within about 20 minutes, reducing the need to rely on cold food.
Speaking at an aerospace medical engineering conference in Tianjin, Liu Weibo, an expert at the centre, highlighted several of the new appliances. A space water dispenser is designed to make reclaimed water safe for drinking, while a microwave heating device can quickly reheat food at low power without microwave leakage.
The kitchen also includes a hot-air baking oven described as the world’s first designed for use in space. It can remove cooking fumes efficiently while using less energy, allowing astronauts to prepare foods such as baked chicken wings, steak and cake while in orbit.
Food choices aboard the Chinese space station have also expanded significantly. The menu now includes nearly 200 varieties, while the flight menu cycle has been extended to 10 days.
Astronauts can process and bake fresh vegetables, nuts, cakes and meats in orbit, while yogurt can also be fermented in space.
“We are continuing to raise the level of life support for astronauts in orbit,” Liu said. “The variety, quality, flavor, appearance and nutrition of space food are getting better.”
Tiangong, which means “Heavenly Palace”, has entered a phase of long-term human habitation. As part of China’s plans, one member of the Shenzhou-23 crew will undertake a 1-year stay in orbit, while preparations for the country’s 2030 crewed moon landing mission continue.
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