These small gingerbread squares were packaged for the Apollo 17 mission of December 1972, but were not consumed and returned to Earth.
Food for spaceflight must be nutritious, lightweight and have the ability to be compressed when possible. For the early missions, it also had to be stored without refrigeration and have the ability to be eaten under weightless conditions.
The food was protected with a 4-ply, laminated film coating. This protected the food from loss of flavor, moisture and oxygen invasion, spoiling and excess crumbling, and was used on both the rehydratable and the bite-sized foods.
NASA transferred this object to the Museum in 1986.
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
Manufacturer
Whirlpool Corporation
Dimensions
3-D: 9.5 x 8.9cm (3 3/4 x 3 1/2 in.)
Materials
Package: 4-ply plastic laminate, velcro
Contents: Gingerbread squares
Inventory Number
A19860442000
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 Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.