"Space Food." These two words can evoke ideas of freeze dried beef stroganoff or, if you're a Trekkie like me, we might think of a replicator that somehow has the ability to rearrange subatomic particles from biowaste to energy to a gourmet meal (let's not think about the "biowaste" part too much). The reality, however, is somewhere in between. Modern-day space explorers such as the Artemis II crew have certainly leveled up from freeze dried packaged foods, but they have not quite harnessed the ability to order gluten-free chocolate cake from a machine that can convert energy into matter.
In either case, however, nutrition is an important consideration: astronauts face uniquely challenging physiological conditions and need extra vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and hydration. When the Artemis crew took off for the moon last week, I couldn't help but wonder: Of the 189 food items offered to them, were they peeling and eating oranges, tangerines, or grapefruit 240,000 miles from the Earth's surface?
Oranges are the Perfect Space Food! Except...
It seems like a no-brainer: a single orange or tangerine is power fuel for an astronaut, in that it supports immune function, hydration, and regularity while its powerful antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress inherent in the increased radiation and zero gravity conditions they are subject to over extended periods. Early space missions featured powdered citrusy Vitamin C powders like Tang and dried orange and grapefruit juice powders to optimize weight and space limitations, but only whole fruits can offer maximum bioavailability. Whole fruits are also crumb-less, which is an important detail in the highly controlled, zero-gravity environment. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also good for astronaut morale; they are a direct, comforting link to the very aliveness of our planet Earth versus the synthetic and sterile environment of space crafts.
However, citrus fruits, like other fruits and vegetables, are perishable and take up space, er, while in space. Pre-loading a small spacecraft with lots of oranges, for example, would not be a workable way to include citrus on a long-term mission. Even on a relatively short mission like this one of ten days, a bit of mold can release spores into the air, and there is no way to adequately dispose of spoiled produce.
That being said, most space missions include a fresh fruit and vegetable locker for the first few days of travel. While the specific items in the Artemis II locker have not been specified, it is certainly possible that oranges, tangerines, or other citrus fruits might have been included for all of the reasons described above.
The International Space Station, which features refrigeration and is closer to Earth's orbit to more easily receive deliveries, is already including oranges and other fresh fruits and vegetables in its regular menu. But to date, citrus fruits have not yet been specifically assigned to any moon missions.
The Future of Oranges In Space
Thanks to the International Space Station, NASA has begun to experiment with ways to grow edible plants and fruit-bearing bushes and trees in zero gravity to sustain longer missions and a potential future human presence on the moon. They have several programs to this effect, known as Veggie and the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH). So far, the results have been promising, and easy-peel tangerines have been added to the official list of trees that can be grown in space.
Sources:
https://www.snexplores.org/article/could-star-trek-replicators-exist
https://people.com/what-is-the-artemis-ii-crew-eating-as-they-fly-to-the-far-side-of-the-moon-11942635
https://www.space.com/iss-cargo-delivery-fresh-fruit-video
https://floridaorange.com/blogs/news/the-role-of-florida-oranges-in-the-space-program-how-nasa-has-used-citrus-to-support-astronaut-nutrition?srsltid=AfmBOoqbmKaM2xc6nzyKcgcI4nO8K5yF1TbXKU62CUMlv06IduAdp0_7
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/astronauts-eating-nasa-artemis-ii-204154661.html?
https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-research-and-technology/growing-plants-in-space/
