Freeze-dried ice cream: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:FREEZE-DRIED IC slice.jpg|thumb|Freeze-dried [[Neapolitan ice cream]], shown with air-tight foil partially unwrapped]] |
[[Image:FREEZE-DRIED IC slice.jpg|thumb|Freeze-dried [[Neapolitan ice cream]], shown with air-tight foil partially unwrapped]] |
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'''Freeze-dried ice cream''', also known as '''astronaut ice cream'''<ref>This phrase is also a trademark of American Outdoor Products, Inc. [http://www.backpackerspantry.com/prodinfo.asp?number=130001]</ref> or '''space ice cream''' is a brick of dehydrated |
'''Freeze-dried ice cream''', also known as '''astronaut ice cream'''<ref>This phrase is also a trademark of American Outdoor Products, Inc. [http://www.backpackerspantry.com/prodinfo.asp?number=130001]</ref> or '''space ice cream''' is a brick of dehydrated [[ice cream]] that is always ready to eat, with no need for refrigeration. It was developed by [[Whirlpool Corporation]] under contract to [[NASA]] for the [[Project Apollo|Apollo missions]].<ref name="Space Food">{{cite web |
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|url=http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/lsda_data/nra_research_data/1994_space_food.pdf |
|url=http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/lsda_data/nra_research_data/1994_space_food.pdf |
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|title=Space Food |
|title=Space Food |
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Revision as of 03:20, 15 September 2007
Freeze-dried ice cream, also known as astronaut ice cream[1] or space ice cream is a brick of dehydrated ice cream that is always ready to eat, with no need for refrigeration. It was developed by Whirlpool Corporation under contract to NASA for the Apollo missions.[2]
Apollo 7 in 1968 was the only NASA mission on which space ice cream flew in outer space.[3] According to a NASA food scientist, although it was developed on request, "It wasn't that popular."[4] Skylab had a refrigerator that was used for real ice cream.[5], and occasionally shuttle and International Space Station astronauts have enjoyed real ice cream.[6]
Freeze drying (or lyophilization) removes water from the ice cream by lowering the air pressure to a point where ice shifts from a solid to a gas. The ice cream is placed in a vacuum chamber and frozen until the water crystallizes. The air pressure is lowered, creating a partial vacuum, forcing air out of the chamber; next heat is applied, vaporizing the ice; finally a freezing coil traps the vaporized water. This process continues for hours, resulting in a freeze-dried ice cream slice.
Freeze-dried foods were developed so that foods could be sent on long-duration spaceflights, as to the Moon, and to reduce the weight of the water and oxygen normally found in food.[2]
Freeze-dried ice cream is ubiquitous in science museum giftshops, sometimes accompanied by other freeze-dried foods such as ice-cream sandwiches, various sliced fruits, and even pizza. It is even sold by mail-order, and is a "top five seller" at the Kennedy Space Center gift shop.[7]
See also
References
- ^ This phrase is also a trademark of American Outdoor Products, Inc. [1]
- ^ a b "Space Food" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 2007-06-07. The license is now held by Action Products International, Inc.
- ^ "NASA Spinoff homepage". NASA. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
- ^ "A Holiday Dinner in Space". NASA. December 15 2005. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "History of Food in Space". NASA. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
- ^ "Orbital Ice Cream, Atlantis' ISS Surprise". LiveScience.com. September 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
- ^ "Astronaut Ice Cream -- Cookies and Cream". Kennedy Space Center. Retrieved 2007-06-07.