Sunita Williams returns: What did she, others eat in ISS?

After an unexpected 9-month stay in space, astronaut Sunita Williams is finally set to return to Earth. Originally planned as an 8-day mission, her extended stay was due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner.

Also Read: How hard will it be for Sunita Williams to acclimate to Earth’s conditions on her arrival 

A common question arises—what did the astronauts eat during this time? According to The New York Post, NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) survived on a mix of pizza, roast chicken, shrimp cocktails, and tuna fish. Due to limited food access on the Boeing Starliner, they had to rely on pre-packed meals.

Reports suggest astronauts carried a variety of preserved food, including milk powder, cereals, cooked meats, and eggs. Fresh fruit was initially available but ran out within three months, after which they relied on frozen or packaged alternatives.

NASA also released images showing astronauts eating onboard the ISS, with a picture from September 9 depicting them enjoying meals in microgravity. Some food required heating, while others needed water from the ISS’s 530-gallon fresh water tank to be rehydrated. Soups, stews, and casseroles were among the dishes prepared.

As Williams and her team prepare to return, their survival on carefully rationed food highlights NASA’s advanced space nutrition planning, ensuring astronauts remain well-fed even during extended missions. 🚀🥘