Life Support Biosph Sci. 1998 ; 5(2): 231-42.

Design and implementation of a vegetarian food system for a closed chamber test.

Kloeris V, Vodovotz Y, Bye L, Stiller CQ, Lane E.

NASA-Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA. vkloeris@ems.jsc.nasa.gov

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting a series of closed chamber environmental tests, called the Lunar Mars Life Support Test Project (LMLSTP), which is designed to provide data for the development of surface habitats for the Moon and Mars. These surface habitats will be closed loop environmental systems that will recycle air and water and will grow crops to provide food for crew members. In conjunction with these tests, the Food Systems Engineering Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) tested a 10-day vegetarian menu based on items that can be made from the projected crop list for these habitats. The planned menu met most of the nutritional requirements of the four crew members and was found highly acceptable. Automation of the food preparation and processing equipment was strongly recommended because the preparation time was judged excessive. The waste generated was largely due to leftovers.