Imagine savoring a juicy steak or crispy chicken wings while floating hundreds of miles above Earth. Sounds like a scene from a sci-fi movie, right? But it’s happening right now aboard China’s Space Station. In a groundbreaking move, astronauts on the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 missions have become the first in China’s manned space program to grill their meals in space, thanks to a cutting-edge oven designed specifically for this purpose. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the food—it’s about revolutionizing life in space.
The newly installed ‘space oven’ is a game-changer. Unlike traditional cooking methods, it uses advanced temperature control and high-temperature catalysis to ensure smokeless cooking, making it safe for the confined environment of a space station. According to footage released by the Astronaut Center of China (ACC), the crew enjoyed their freshly grilled feast after just 28 minutes of cooking. Even more impressive? This oven can operate continuously for up to 500 cycles, a massive upgrade from earlier experiments like the 2020 cookie-baking test on the International Space Station (ISS), which took nearly two hours to produce a single batch.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While some celebrate this as a leap forward in astronaut comfort, others question whether resources should be prioritized for scientific research over culinary luxuries. Is a hot meal really worth the effort in space? China seems to think so, and here’s why: this innovation is part of a broader effort to improve living conditions for astronauts on long-duration missions. After grueling hours of scientific work, a warm, home-cooked meal can provide a sense of normalcy and connection to Earth—something often underestimated in the isolating environment of space.
This milestone also highlights China’s rapid evolution in in-orbit living standards. Gone are the days of simple pre-packaged meals from the Shenzhou-5 era. Today, astronauts have access to a diverse menu of over 190 items, a testament to China’s commitment to making space feel a little more like home. But we want to hear from you: Do you think cooking in space is a luxury or a necessity? Let us know in the comments below—this is one debate that’s truly out of this world!
