Despite Its Popularity, It Was Actually 'Banned'... The Era When Only Kids Ate 'Space Ice Cream' [Delicious Story]

Ice Cream Sold as a Space Center Souvenir
Excluded from Space Food Due to Crumb Hazards
A Rare Space Dessert... Development Still Ongoing

Editor's NoteThe first snacks are believed to have been discovered in the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. In other words, snacks have accompanied every moment of human history. From biscuits and chocolate to ice cream, we share delicious stories behind the treats we love.

Among the "astronaut foods" sold at the souvenir shop of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center, the most popular item is space ice cream, which comes in three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. However, space ice cream has never actually been supplied to astronauts. Because of its crumbly nature, it was considered dangerous in space and was discontinued during development. Nevertheless, after the launch of Apollo 7 in 1968, space ice cream was mistakenly included in the astronaut meal chart released by NASA, which led to the widespread belief that ice cream was a representative dessert consumed by astronauts.

Removed Before the Apollo 7 Mission Due to Its Crumbly Nature

'Sspace Ice Cream' sold at the souvenir shop of the Kennedy Space Center Museum. Kennedy Space Center Museum website

In 1968, as NASA prepared for the Apollo 7 mission, which orbited the Earth for ten days, the agency invested heavily in the development of space food. Early space food came in the form of dried foods such as minced meat, vacuum-packed in tubes that astronauts would squeeze out and eat like toothpaste. To minimize weight, space ice cream was dehydrated, resulting in a hard, chalk-like texture. At one point, space ice cream was introduced in various science magazines and television programs both in Korea and abroad as "the dessert astronauts eat in space." Many children who dreamed of space travel bought it out of curiosity.

However, unlike other space foods, space ice cream was never actually supplied to astronauts. Although the American processed food company Whirlpool did sign a supply contract with NASA for ice cream production, it was ultimately excluded from the list of items for the Apollo missions. In the zero-gravity environment of space, once the ice cream broke, fat particles would scatter everywhere, making it unsuitable for space. Even a tiny speck of dust can be fatal in space, as fine particles can cause malfunctions in electronic equipment. Neither Whirlpool's food developers nor NASA scientists were able to solve the problem of fat crumbs, and space ice cream was ultimately designated as a prohibited item.

A recreated view of the spacecraft cockpit involved in the lunar landing mission. It was filled with complex electronic devices and instrument panels, posing a risk of malfunction if fine particles entered. Astronaut homepage

A Freezer Was Installed on the Space Station in 2006

The global effort to develop delicious space desserts continued. Skylab, the space station operated by NASA from 1973 to 1974, was equipped with a "space tray" that could reheat dried foods. Thanks to this, astronauts were able to enjoy bread, processed meat patties, and butter cookies warm.

The International Space Station (ISS), jointly operated by countries around the world, now provides astronauts with much more impressive desserts. In 2015, Italy developed an espresso machine capable of working in space, offering astronauts hot coffee for the first time. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) succeeded in making yokan (sweet red bean jelly) and instant noodles that could be eaten in space, with leading Japanese snack companies such as Meiji Dairy, Nissin Foods, and Ajinomoto participating in the development.

Since a freezer was installed on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2006, it has become possible to eat real ice cream in outer space. Photo by NASA TV

Today, astronauts can even enjoy real ice cream. According to Smithsonian Magazine, NASA installed a small freezer on the ISS in 2006 for storing plant samples. Since then, it has been reported that commercial ice cream is occasionally delivered to the ISS aboard supply rockets.

However, ice cream remains a very rare dessert among space foods. The ISS freezer is primarily for scientific experiments, so it is difficult to use it for storing ice cream. When NASA sends ice cream to astronauts once every five to six years, they must eat it as quickly as possible before it melts and turns into floating droplets.