Only Three Indian Foods Cleared NASA Tests for Shubhanshu Shukla’s Space Mission

India’s plan to send a wider variety of traditional foods to the International Space Station (ISS) during astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission was limited after only three dishes—Gajar Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Ka Halwa, and Amras—successfully completed NASA’s strict qualification process. Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Shukla said the Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), under DRDO, had prepared several other dishes, including khichdi, pulao, and vegetables, but they could not finish the required testing before the mission’s launch.

Space food must undergo extensive testing to ensure it remains safe, nutritious, and stable for long periods without refrigeration. It also has to withstand launch conditions, meet strict microbial safety standards, and be suitable for consumption in microgravity without creating floating crumbs or excess moisture. According to Shukla, the limited time available before launch prevented more Indian dishes from completing the certification process.

Although the three approved Indian foods reached the ISS, Shukla shared them with his international crewmates instead of eating them himself. He said the crew thoroughly enjoyed the dishes. During the mission, he began craving salty and spicy food due to the reduced sense of taste experienced in microgravity. After returning to Earth, his flight surgeon welcomed him with banana chips and bhakarwadi, while the mission’s feedback is expected to help DFRL expand India’s space food menu for future Gaganyaan astronauts.

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