Astronauts On International Space Station Celebrate Thanksgiving, Turkey Menu Also Available

Astronauts get ready for Thanksgiving. (photo: twitter @nasa)

JAKARTA - From the International Space Station, which is roughly 250 miles above Earth, NASA astronauts will probably feel quite far from their homes this Thanksgiving.

But even so, NASA has revealed that its astronauts will eat like kings on that day.

The menu is crab bisque, roast turkey and blueberry cobbler, the astronauts reveal in a new video posted to NASA's Twitter page.

Unlike on Earth, where Thanksgiving dinner can be a stressful cooking process, all the astronauts have to do is add hot water.

Kayla Barron, one of the NASA astronauts currently on the ISS jokes: 'Fortunately, it doesn't take long to cook in space because most of it is just reheated!'

NASA posted the video to its Twitter page, writing: 'How did NASA astronauts spend Thanksgiving in space? "A little friendship, a little time on the treadmill - and, of course, roast turkey."

How do @NASA_Astronauts spend Thanksgiving in space? A little friendship, a little time on the treadmill—and, of course, roast turkey. Get the full story from our @Space_Station Expedition 66 crew. pic.twitter.com/X5DNJHIPKF

— NASA (@NASA) November 24, 2021

Barron, who had only been on the ISS for two weeks, revealed that the crew would be working on Thanksgiving, before enjoying a delicious team meal.

"I think we will work, but also look forward to great food together," he was quoted as saying by Dailymail.

Although Thanksgiving is traditionally only celebrated in the US, Barron added that he and NASA crew members - Raja Chari, Thomas Marshburn and Mark Vande Hei - will invite an international crew - Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrovto and European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer to their Thanksgiving party.

"I'm sure we'll be inviting our fellow cosmonauts to join us - it's going to be a very international Thanksgiving," he added.

Food on the Thanksgiving menu includes crab bisque, roast turkey, au gratin potatoes and candied sweet potatoes, followed by blueberry cobbler.

Astronaut Tom Marshburn added: 'The food is absolutely fantastic here and we are looking forward to some of the specials that have been delivered for us.'

Food preparation in space varies depending on the type of food, according to NASA.

"Some foods can be eaten in their natural form, such as brownies and fruits," he explained. “Other foods require the addition of water, such as macaroni and cheese or spaghetti. Of course, ovens are provided on the space station to heat food to the right temperature."

"There are no refrigerators in space, so space food must be stored and prepared properly to avoid spoilage, especially on longer missions," NASA said.

While salt and pepper are also available, they are only available in liquid form. "Astronauts can't sprinkle salt and pepper on their food in space. The salt and pepper will just wash away," NASA explained.

"There is a danger that they could clog air vents, contaminate equipment or get caught in the astronaut's eyes, mouth or nose," NASA added.