Desi curries for astronauts of Chandrayaan-2 mission!!!
Mysore, July 21:-
The Indian Space research Organization (ISRO)and the Indian space scientists are in full swing with their preparation for the next moon odyssey Chandrayaan-2 in 20011, wherein two astronauts will be put in in an orbit of about 275 km to 400 km above the earth. The expediton will last for seven days. For the seve-day expediton the pioneer Defence Food Research Laboratory is busy cooking `desi’ food for the astronauts!
In an interview given to the TNN, Dr AS bawa , DFRL, said 11 the core group of food scientists, biochemists and microbioogists had already started identifying the dishes which will make the astronauts feel at home as they move through the space in India’s first lander/rover space exploration.
``DFRL already acquired the expertise and the technical knowledge to develop Indian food for astronauts. We just need to acquire the latest advancements in space food research. If required, our scientists would visit and seek the help of nutrition scientists at NASA and Russian Federal space agencies. We have learnt that the Indian-American NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has carried paneer food items in her recent world-record 192-day expedition”, Dr Bawa stated.
According to Bawa the DFRL is in the process of preparing a detailed action plan metioning the list of food items selected and submitted it to the ISRO. “The food items are destined to be flexible. Our focus is on developing the technology and once we are through with it we can alter the food items basing on the taste and preference of astronauts. Though, we were not fixed with any specific targets, we hope to develop the technology and make the products available in 18 months from now”.
The DFRL has given us clear cut instructions in a detailed manner on our perception towards the project to the ISRO resource team. However, Dr Bawa admitted that the food is hardly gourmet and will not be as spicy as Indians enjoy on Earth. “We cannot afford to strain an astronaut’s stomach. Spicy meals and hot sauces are being avoided, but if the mission demands spicy stuff, we are ready to take up the challenge and add snack items like `dosa ‘or a `bhajji’ in the menu!” he clarified answering a query from this correspondent.
“Basic criteria would be the food which can be readily digestible, free from microbes, withstand the vagaries of the climate and of course it should be palatable, tasty and satisfying”, Dr Bawa informed.
DFRL got its first taste of Space Food R&D during the Indo- Soviet Space Mission in 1984. Food products of Indian origin were made available to Squadron Leader Rakhesh Sharma.
preparing going ahead full steam with the planning of next moon odyssey Chandrayaan-2 in 2012, wherein two astronauts will be put in a orbit about 275 km to 400 km above the earth on a seven-day expedition, the pioneer Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) is busy cooking ‘desi’ food for the astronauts!
In an exclusive interview with the Deccan Chronicle, Dr. A S Bawa, director, DFRL, said the core food scientists, biochemists and microbiologists had already begun identifying dishes that would make the payload scientists feel at home as they hurtle through space in India’s first Lander/Rover space exploration.
“DFRL already has the experience and technical know-how of developing Indian food for astronauts. We just need to gain the latest advancements in space food research. If required, our scientists would visit and seek support of food scientists at NASA and Russian Federal space agencies. We have learnt the Indian-American NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has carried paneer food items in her recent world-record 192-day expedition”, Dr Bawa revealed.
Dr Bawa also said that the DFRL was in process of preparing detail action plan specifying the list food items selected and submit it to the ISRO. “The food items are bound to be flexible. Our thrust is on developing the technology and once we are through with it we can alter the food items basic on astronaut taste and preferences. Though, we were not fixed with any specific targets, we hope to develop the technology and make the products available in 18 months from now”.
The DFRL has already given an elaborate presentation on our perception towards the project to the ISRO resource team, which has visited our campus. However, Dr Bawa admitted that the food is hardly gourmet and will not be as spicy as Indians enjoy on Earth. “We cannot afford to strain an astronaut stomach. Spicy meals and hot sauces are being avoided, but if the mission demands spicy stuff, we are ready to take up the challenge and add snack items like dosa or a bhajji in the menu!” he said answering a query from this correspondent.
“Basic criterions would be the food have to be readily digestible, free from microbes, withstand the vagaries of the climate and finally palatable, acceptable and satisfying”, Dr Bawa added.
DFRL got its first taste of Space Food R&D during the Indo Soviet Space Mission in 1984. Food products of Indian origin were made available to Squadron Leader Rakhesh Sharma.