China's space crew just turned their orbiting lab into a gourmet kitchen. Aboard the China space station 400 km above Earth, astronauts from the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 missions fired up the first hot-air oven ever flown by their nation. The result? Sizzling chicken wings and black peppercorn steaks, golden-brown and smell-free thanks to a built-in air purification system.
This moment marks a milestone for China’s “space kitchen.” Until now, crews relied on pre-packaged meals or reheated dishes. The new oven can reach cooking temperatures up to 200°C and features a filtration unit that traps odors and particulates, keeping the station’s air fresh.
Why it matters:
- Boosting morale: Home-style meals can lift spirits on long-duration missions.
- Engineering feat: Designing an oven that works in microgravity and contains odors is a complex challenge.
- Future exploration: Innovations like this pave the way for deeper space travel and even space tourism.
Next up, the team plans to test baking bread and pastries, taking another step toward fully equipped orbital living quarters. For global citizens and tech enthusiasts alike, this is proof that the final frontier isn’t just about science—it’s about bringing everyday comforts to life beyond Earth.
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Astronauts grill chicken and steak in China's first space oven
cgtn.com
