How we Lived and Fed Astronauts Who Spent Nine Months Stranded in Space

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who spent over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), have successfully returned to Earth. Their safe landing was made possible by the impeccable execution of the Crew-9 mission and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. What began as an eight-day mission unexpectedly extended into a lengthy nine-month stay for Ms. Williams and Mr. Wilmore. During their time on the ISS, the astronauts enjoyed a variety of meals, including pizza, roast chicken, and prawn cocktails, as reported by The New York Post. However, they had limited access to fresh food, the report noted. A specialist familiar with the challenges of the Starliner mission informed The NY Post that the astronauts also consumed tuna and breakfast cereal with powdered milk.

The food provided to them is typically packaged or freeze-dried and can be reheated using a meal warmer on the ISS. It is tailored to meet each astronaut's daily nutritional requirements. However, the meals, developed at the Space Food Systems Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, have restrictions on the use of fresh produce. Each astronaut's daily food allowance was meticulously calculated at approximately 3.8 pounds, with additional supplies available in case the mission needed to be prolonged. All meat and eggs are pre-cooked on Earth and only require reheating in space. The ISS's 530-gallon fresh water tank supplied the necessary water for preparing dried soups, stews, and casseroles, with protein options including tuna and other pre-cooked meats. The ISS receives resupply missions every three months. Initially, fresh fruit was available, but as the three-month period progressed, these items diminished, leading to a reliance on packaged or freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, as noted by the specialist in November 2024.

The ISS operates with minimal waste, recycling astronauts' urine and sweat into fresh water. The two astronauts prepared their meals and dined on magnetized trays using metal utensils. “Every detail is meticulously planned, including their food,” the expert remarked. On Wednesday, Ms. Williams’ family expressed their joy at her safe return following an unexpected journey. Falguni Pandya, her sister-in-law, shared with NDTV, "It was an extraordinary moment," as she reflected on the SpaceX Dragon spaceship's gentle splashdown near Florida, signifying their safe arrival back on Earth. According to Ms. Pandya, since Ms. Williams was the first astronaut to enjoy samosas aboard the space station, she is excited to host a 'samosa party' in her honor.