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The Space Shuttle did not have a table for crew meals. Instead, the astronauts placed their food containers on a tray, strapped it to one of their legs, and then fiound a place to anchor themselves while they ate. This tray is an early design that had tracks and cavities to hold the food containers and a magnet to hold the utensils in place. A later tray had a smooth surface and strips of Velcro to lock Velcro-backed food containers in place. The tray is a small example of the big challenges of doing normal tasks, like eating, in weightlessness. NASA transferred this tray and a variety of Shuttle foods to the Museum in the 1980s.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Food & Food Accessories Dimensions 3-D: 43.2 x 22.9 x 5.7cm (17 x 9 x 2 1/4 in.)
 Materials Aluminum
Spring Steel
Velcro
Synthetic Fabric
Magnetized Rubber
Adhesive
Synthetic rubber (Neoprene)
 Inventory Number A19870117000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA Johnson Space Center Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.