China’s space station just got a culinary upgrade: astronauts have baked food in orbit using a hot air oven for the first time.
Delivered by the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, the compact oven was tested by crew members on both the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 missions. They enjoyed freshly baked chicken wings and steak, moving beyond simple reheating to actual cooking and baking in space.
Until now, astronauts aboard the Chinese space station relied on pre-packaged meals and reheating technology. This breakthrough unlocks new possibilities for diverse menus and could boost crew morale on long-duration missions.
As the menu in orbit evolves, space chefs may soon serve up pizzas, pastries, and full-course dinners—bringing a taste of home to the final frontier.
Reference(s):
Inside the 'space oven' making Chinese astronauts' barbecue possible
cgtn.com
