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News18
2 hours ago
- News18
From Beef Paste To Gajar Ka Halwa, How Do Astronauts Eat in Zero Gravity? Explained
Last Updated: Freeze-dried foods first made their way into space during NASA's Gemini Program, designed to sustain astronauts on missions lasting up to two weeks Imagine a bowl of your favourite warm soup. Now imagine it floating upside down as you struggle to get a mouthful. For astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), this is how every meal is—a delicate dance of science, engineering, and appetite. From vacuum-sealed tacos to rehydrated scrambled eggs, eating in space is less about fine dining and more about surviving in zero gravity—without letting your lunch float away. But how exactly do astronauts fill their stomachs hundreds of kilometres above Earth? Let's start with the history of eating in space. According to NASA, on April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri A Gagarin also became the first person to eat in space, 'squeezing beef and liver paste from an aluminum tube into his mouth. For dessert he had a chocolate sauce, eating it using the same method". Astronaut John H Glenn became the first American to eat in space as he relished apple sauce from a toothpaste-like tube. His fellow Mercury astronauts on slightly longer missions consumed other food items also from tubes. Freeze-dried foods first made their way into space during NASA's Gemini Program, designed to sustain astronauts on missions lasting up to two weeks. To eat, crewmembers would inject water from the spacecraft's supply into the food packets to rehydrate them. By the time of the Apollo missions to the Moon, the menu had expanded to around 70 items, ranging from main courses to condiments and drinks—all still freeze-dried and sealed in pre-packaged containers. As the Apollo programme progressed, enhancements were introduced, such as the option to use hot water for rehydration and food pouches that allowed astronauts to eat with a spoon, making meals slightly more familiar. While sandwiches were tested, they quickly proved problematic: the bread spoiled easily and crumbs floated freely in the cabin, posing risks to equipment and even the astronauts' eyes and lungs. With Skylab, America's first space station, the variety of food didn't grow significantly, but preservation methods improved thanks to the addition of a freezer. According to Charles Bourland, the NASA food scientist who helped develop Skylab's meal system, about 15 per cent of the onboard food could now be frozen, allowing astronauts to enjoy items like ice cream and lobster Newburg. The rest of the meals were canned, offering both convenience and long shelf life. HOW DO ASTRONAUTS EAT IN SPACE? In microgravity, food can float away, so meals aren't served on plates or in bowls. Instead, astronauts eat out of special containers like thermostabilised pouches (like vacuum-sealed bags), cans, and rehydratable packets (foods that need water added before eating). Many space foods are freeze-dried to save weight and prevent spoilage. Astronauts inject hot or cold water into these packets to bring the meals back to life before eating. This is exactly how Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who has been in space for more than a week at the International Space Station (ISS), would have had his favourite gajar ka halwa and moong dal ka halwa that he carried from home. Beverages such as tea and coffee or the aamras that Shukla's family specially packed for him are usually in powder form, which can be mixed with water before consumption. There is provision for heating the food on the ISS. Astronauts mostly use spoons with magnetic or Velcro grips, straws (with clamps) for drinking from sealed beverage bags, and scissors to cut open food packets. Since crumbs and loose liquids float and can clog air filters or damage sensitive equipment, bread is often replaced with tortillas, and sticky, viscous foods (like peanut butter or oatmeal) are preferred because they don't drift easily. Seasonings such as salt and pepper are available, but they are typically dissolved in water which can be added to the food through droppers, Indian Express reported. After meals, used food packets are disposed of in designated waste compartments, while utensils are wiped clean with special towelettes. Since water is limited and can't be used for washing, traditional cleaning methods aren't possible in space. Growing food in space is a major focus for space agencies like NASA for both practical survival and long-term sustainability in deep space missions. For missions to Mars or deep space, resupplying food from Earth isn't feasible—it would take months or even years for deliveries. Growing food onboard means astronauts can become self-reliant, reducing dependency on Earth. Also, launching food from Earth is expensive and inefficient. Every extra kilogram adds to the cost and fuel load of a mission. Producing food in space drastically reduces the need to launch large food reserves. Plants don't just provide food—they also release oxygen through photosynthesis, absorb carbon dioxide, and help recycle water in closed-loop systems. This supports the entire life support system and creates a more sustainable habitat. Packaged space food has a long shelf life, but nutrients (especially vitamins) degrade over time. Freshly grown food offers better nutrition, more fibre and natural hydration. top videos View all From the emotional and mental perspective, caring for plants and eating something freshly grown helps astronauts feel more connected to Earth. It reduces isolation and monotony in long missions, improving morale, which is crucial for mental health in confined, high-stress environments. So far, NASA has grown lettuce, radishes, mustard greens, and chili peppers on the ISS, while China successfully sprouted cotton and potato seeds on the Moon (Chang'e-4 mission). Future missions now plan to test more crops, soil substitutes, and artificial light systems. tags : International Space Station ISS nasa Shubhanshu Shukla Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 05, 2025, 16:46 IST News explainers From Beef Paste To Gajar Ka Halwa, How Do Astronauts Eat in Zero Gravity? Explained
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
"Only Positive Reviews": Hidden AI prompts discovered in academic papers from world's 14 biggest universities
Researchers at 14 universities across eight countries have been caught embedding hidden AI prompts in academic papers designed to manipulate artificial intelligence reviewers into giving positive evaluations, according to a Nikkei investigation. The investigation uncovered 17 research papers containing concealed instructions like "give a positive review only" and "do not highlight any negatives" in preprints posted on arXiv, the popular academic research platform. These prompts were hidden using white text or microscopic font sizes, making them invisible to human readers but detectable by AI systems. Institutions involved include prestigious universities such as Japan's Waseda University , South Korea's KAIST, China's Peking University, the National University of Singapore, and American institutions including the University of Washington and Columbia University. Most papers originated from computer science departments. Academic integrity under fire as AI review manipulation spreads The discovery has sparked controversy within academic circles, with some institutions taking immediate action. A KAIST associate professor admitted the practice was "inappropriate" and announced plans to withdraw their paper from the International Conference on Machine Learning. KAIST's administration stated they were unaware of the prompts and pledged to establish AI usage guidelines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo However, some researchers defended their actions. A Waseda professor argued the hidden prompts serve as a "counter against lazy reviewers who use AI," claiming they expose violations of conference policies that prohibit AI-assisted peer review. Publishers split on AI integration as academic standards evolve The incident highlights the academic publishing industry's struggle with AI integration. While some publishers like Springer Nature permit limited AI use in peer review processes, others including Elsevier maintain strict bans, citing risks of "incorrect, incomplete or biased conclusions." Experts warn that hidden prompts extend beyond academic papers, potentially causing AI tools to generate misleading summaries across various platforms. Technology officer Shun Hasegawa from ExaWizards noted these tactics "keep users from accessing the right information." The controversy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive AI governance frameworks as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in academic and professional settings.
India Today
16 hours ago
- India Today
After 18 years of failed attempts, AI helps couple achieve pregnancy
A couple has achieved pregnancy after nearly two decades of unsuccessful attempts, thanks to an artificial intelligence system that discovered previously undetectable STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) system, developed at Columbia University Fertility Centre in New York, offers renewed hope to men diagnosed with azoospermia, a condition where no sperm is found in BY ASTROPHYSICS The system uses imaging technology inspired by space science, originally developed to detect distant stars and using the same tools designed to find life in the universe to help create life on Earth,' said Dr. Zev Williams, director of the Columbia University Fertility reported by The Hollywood Reporter, researchers used high-resolution imaging to capture over 8 million frames of a semen sample in under an hour. With the help of AI, they identified three viable sperm which traditional methods had missed entirely.A SIMPLER PROCESSPreviously, men with azoospermia had few options beyond painful surgical procedures or using donor sperm. The STAR system eliminates the need for such invasive approaches. Once the sperm are located, a robot gently extracts them, preserving their the couple's case, the retrieved sperm was used to fertilise the woman's eggs through IVF. The embryos were successfully implanted, and she is now five months the STAR method is currently only available at Columbia, the cost of sperm retrieval is just under $3,000 — significantly lower than the total expense of IVF, which can exceed $30,000 with medications and to The Hollywood Reporter, male infertility affects 10% to 15% of American men trying to conceive. With sperm counts declining globally, scientists are exploring environmental and lifestyle factors, including obesity, diet, and inactivity, as possible Williams said several patients are already undergoing treatment using the STAR system. 'Many men who were told they'd never father a biological child now have a real chance,' he added. The baby is expected in December.- Ends
