NASA Artemis II launch brings 189-item menu for 10-day mission
NASA's Artemis II mission, which launched on April 1, 2026, is making history as the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since the 1970s.
Alongside testing the Orion spacecraft for future moon and Mars trips, NASA put a lot of thought into what astronauts will eat, serving up a menu with 189 different items to keep them fueled for their 10-day journey (with no resupply or refrigerator in sight).
Menu crafted by space food experts
The menu was crafted with space food experts to balance nutrition and practicality.
Think vegetable quiche, barbecued beef brisket, couscous with nuts, plus drinks like green tea and mango-peach smoothies: each astronaut gets two flavored drinks daily.
Meals are matched to each phase: ready-to-eat foods for launch and re-entry; rehydrated dishes once they're orbiting.
Everything is shelf-stable and safe for microgravity, showing just how much NASA cares about keeping its crew healthy, paving the way for longer missions in deep space.