By Stephanie Dwilson | 2025-01-23

NASA is taking steps to ensure the United States not only leads the world in space exploration, but also in cosmic cuisine.

The agency in August 2024 awarded $1.25 million to three teams in the final round of its Deep Space Food Challenge.

The initiative aims to revolutionize food production technology for extended missions so that astronauts have access to safe and appetizing meals as they push the boundaries of human presence in space, NASA said in a statement.

The days of ready-to-eat, military-grade meals in space are drawing to a close as longer space missions -- such as potential future journeys to Mars -- are creating a growing need for culinary innovations.

In addition, advanced food systems also could benefit life on Earth and inspire food production in parts of the world that are prone to natural disasters, food insecurity and extreme environments, the agency said.

"The challenge has brought together innovative and driven individuals from around the world who are passionate about creating new solutions that support our agency's future Moon to Mars missions," Angela Herblet, challenge manager for the Deep Space Food Challenge at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said in the statement.

Zero-gravity oven

One of the more unique inventions to emerge from the competition is an oven-type device called SATED Space that lets astronauts cook for themselves.

SATED, which stands for "Safe Appliance, Tidy, Efficient & Delicious," was developed by engineer Jim Sears.

SATED is a fire-safe canister-shaped device that operates in zero gravity. Its cooking rotor spins to create an internal artificial gravity that helps press ingredients onto a heated inner surface -- simple action that usually is not possible in zero gravity.

Sears is working with Michelin-starred Chef José Andrés and his culinary group for some of the signature recipes for SATED.

They include pizza with space-grown mushrooms, bell peppers and freeze-dried sausage cooked in 20 minutes; quiche made from dried egg crystals, tomatoes, chives and dill with a toasted, freeze dried cheese and almond flour crust; and a moist lemon cake with frosting and sprinkles for special occasions.

Andrés already has worked with NASA to create a paella dish that can be served aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

SATED's unique design even lets astronauts boil water, which was previously thought to be impossible in space.

"There is talk of this device even being on the ISS within 18 months … I think what's really special about what Jim Sears and his family have done is address the thing that makes us the most human … the desire for a good meal," Andrés shared in a Substack post in September 2024.

SATED was just one of the winners in the Deep Space Challenge, placing as one of the two US runners-up and earned $250,000.

The US overall winner was Interstellar Lab of Florida, which created a self-sustaining food production mechanism to grow fresh vegetables, microgreens and the insects needed for micronutrients. It was awarded $750,000.