Collaborative Innovations in Space Cuisine

Revolutionizing Space Food: How José Andrés Group is Cooking for the Cosmos

Why It Matters

Astronauts on long space missions currently rely on pre-packaged, ready-to-eat meals, which can become repetitive and unappetizing over time. A new invention, the SATED Space oven, aims to change that by allowing astronauts to cook fresh meals in zero gravity.

The Innovation: SATED Space Oven

Developed by Jim Sears, an aerospace engineer, in collaboration with the José Andrés Group (JAG), this unique cooking device is designed to work in space without fire, smoke, or steam—all of which are dangerous in microgravity. Instead, the oven uses a rotating canister and heating elements to cook food safely.

How It Works

The oven’s cylindrical chamber spins at different speeds, pressing food against the heating elements.

Food is cooked using conduction, similar to stovetop cooking on Earth.

The device can prepare savory and sweet dishes, including tortilla española, mac and cheese, cornbread, and even brownies.

Why This is a Game-Changer

1. Better Food for Long Missions – Eating the same packaged meals for months or years can be mentally challenging. Freshly cooked meals can boost morale and improve well-being for astronauts.

2. Bringing Texture to Space – Astronauts miss crunchy foods like crackers and toast, but crumbs are dangerous in zero gravity. The SATED oven, along with Sears' patented space spatula and vacuum table, solves this issue.

3. Enhancing Flavor – Since taste is muted in space, the oven allows for cooking methods that intensify flavors, making space meals more enjoyable.

Future of Space Cooking

Sears and chef Charisse Grey are testing new recipes using space-friendly ingredients like dehydrated chorizo, par-cooked noodles, and powdered cheese.

The team is seeking aerospace partners to test the device in parabolic flights (which simulate zero gravity).

Their goal is to launch SATED into orbit by 2029, marking 60 years since the first Moon landing.

The Bigger Picture

As space travel evolves with missions to Mars and space tourism, food will play a critical role in astronaut health and happiness. The SATED oven could redefine space cuisine, making way for a new generation of space chefs—“gastronauts”—to cook and experiment beyond Earth.

Final Thought

Cooking is a tradition passed through generations, and now, it’s heading to space. Astronauts won’t just eat—they’ll cook, create, and enjoy food like never before.