Astronauts must follow a series of strict guidelines when they travel to outer space. From the obvious, like never taking your helmet off during a spacewalk, to the not-so-obvious, like never eat bread.
Why can’t space travelers eat bread in any of their performances? Because, as the report published on the website of Slash Gearit is “untidy”.
The bread breaks, falling apart, as it were, into tiny bits that, when released into a weightless environment, could be sucked into a vent, get stuck, and start a fire.. They can infiltrate some expensive equipment and cause a short circuit.
However, in the past, some astronomers have been able to eat some bread on space missions.
blessed tortillas
NASA has long allowed astronauts to eat tortillas because they don’t leave crumbs behind, have a much longer shelf life, and take up much less storage space due to their flat nature.
In recent years, companies like Bake In Space have begun developing and testing new ways to deliver fresh bread to astronauts. Several hurdles must be overcome, one of which is figuring out how bacteria react to dough in space and how bread would be baked before NASA starts having regular bake sales in space.
While the bread is banned in space, that hasn’t stopped NASA astronauts from bringing it on board.
During the 1965 Gemini III mission, pilot John Young brought a corned beef sandwich with him in his space suit. A few hours into the flight, he pulled it out, took a bite, and fed some to Commander Virgil “Gus” Grissom, who also participated, then quickly stuffed it into his suit.
According to the US space agency, the sandwich was only in the open air for less than a minute, but some crumbs managed to break off.