Army’s Meals, Ready- Packaging case study: Eggs to-Eat (MREs). Rehydratable, freeze-dried eggs are a common • A small amount of breakfast item on both the Shuttle and ISS. To commercial plastic ensure that they are readily rehydratable, the pudding containers, eggs are freeze dried twice (i.e., freeze dried, Space Food commercial full-panel rehydrated, and freeze dried again). pullout aluminum cans, and single-serving As with all freeze-dried foods, eggs are stored Packaging commercial condiment in metal cans or foil packages prior to pouches are also used packaging for spaceflight. NASA has used eggs for the Shuttle and ISS. stored in metal cans under nitrogen at 40° F Facts that were well over two years old. Packaging weight Food packaging weight The main complaint astronauts voice about and waste are critical freeze-dried scrambled eggs is that they are too issues for NASA. crumbly and difficult to eat in microgravity. For Shuttle the food Although this may be a result of the packaging package weight is process (vacuum packing), the freeze-drying about 0.5 pounds per process is predominately to blame. person, per day. The weight of ISS food For more information contact: packaging waste is Dr. Anthony L. Pometto, III, Director greater, because NASA Food Technology Commercial rehydratable and bite- Other packaging Space Center sized foods packaged for materials used for Iowa State University Shuttle are overwrapped space foods include 2901 South Loop Drive, Suite 3700 (from top) retortable Ames, IA 50010-8632 with an aluminum foil pouches, commercial E-mail: [email protected] laminate for ISS to full-panel pullout increase shelf life. Also, aluminum cans, and Phone: (515) 296-5383 thermostabilized pouches commercial plastic Fax: (515) 296-6272 are used more frequently pudding containers NASA FTCSC Internet Site: NASA on the ISS, adding http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/ftcsc additional food package weight. Information for Space Food Packaging Facts was provided by Dr. Charles Bourland, former Subsystem Manager for International Space Station food in the Flight Crew Support Division at Johnson Space Center. Among other activities, Bourland is currently a consultant with the NASA Food Technology Commercial Space Center.

Drinking straw with clamp Commercial condiment pouch NASA FTCSC 2003 Used for the Shuttle and the International • The thermoforming process decreases the Space Food Space Station, these packages are made from a barrier properties of the original film as the Packaging Facts five layer co-extrusion of nylon/ethylene material is stretched thinner to form the cup. vinyl alcohol/tie layer of polyethylene/linear • NASA places the food product in the cup, low density polyethylene. places the lid on top, and seals the lid. he mission of the NASA Food Technology • The septum adapter is an T Commercial Space Center (NASA FTCSC) is Packaging rehydratable and bite-sized foods injected, molded device. to lead a national effort to develop foods and • Packaging for bite-sized foods is procured The septa is made from food-processing technologies that enhance from the vendor sealed on three sides. silicon rubber and is space missions and advance commercial food NASA adds the food product and seals the inserted into the septum products through cooperative efforts with fourth side. adapter with a special NASA scientists and technologists, commercial • Rehydratable and bite-sized foods are tool. The septa provides Septum adapter with foil laminate seal companies, and academic researchers. packaged using an entry for a needle to modified inject water into the package during NASA has unique food packaging methods atmosphere rehydration.The septum foil laminate and materials that are necessary for ensuring techniques. seal is pierced by the galley needle when the extended shelf life and safety of space foods • Each package rehydration takes place and seals off when for consumption in microgravity. is flushed with the needle is withdrawn. nitrogen three • The package is flushed three times with All space foods are stored under ambient times before the nitrogen and sealed. storage conditions and must safely maintain a Packaging used for final seal at 21 to 29 bite-sized foods shelf life of nine months to five years. inches of Hg vacuum. Packaging beverages • Shuttle foods are required to have a • The amount of vacuum NASA’s beverage package minimum shelf life of nine months. used varies depending is a modified Capri Sun •International Space Station (ISS) foods upon the food product package made from a foil require a one year shelf life. All rehydratable (a hard vacuum will laminate. The NASA and bite-sized foods destined for ISS are destroy the texture of version is longer than the overwrapped with an aluminum foil some food products). commercially available laminate and vacuum sealed to improve package. NASA packages barrier properties, increasing shelf life. Rehydratable packages beverages for spaceflight • The food system for planetary outposts will • Rehydratable packages following these steps: require a five year shelf life because of are procured from the •Dry beverage powder is planned mission lengths. vendor in the shape placed in the package. of a cup and a lid. Packaging for rehydratable and • The package is flushed They are made of three times with nitrogen. a flexible material bite-sized foods • The septum is inserted to aid in trash Foil laminate Many of the foods used for the Shuttle and ISS and the beverage package compression. beverage package are freeze dried and packaged into is sealed. rehydratable containers. NASA packages both • The vendor forms the rehydratable and bite-sized foods in flexible cup by Other packaging materials  Combitherm Paxx packaging materials made thermoforming the Top and side view of • Commercial pouches are used for by Wolff Walsrode of Burr Ridge, Illinois, a five layer co-extruded a rehydratable food package thermostabilized and irradiated food, division of Bayer Corporation. film over a mold. following the same specifications as the U.S.