This spacefood package contains peanut cubes, which were flown on the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. These cubes were eaten without the addition of water and were "bite-sized" to minimize the possibility of crumbs.
Each Apollo crew member was provided with three meals per day which provided approximately 2,800 daily calories. The food was freeze-dried and was easily reconstituted by the astronaut with a water probe, which dispensed one half ounce of hot or cold water as required each time the trigger button was pressed.
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. The rehydratable foods also had an 8-quinolinol sulfate tablet attached to reduce spoilage in the used food wraps.
NASA transferred this 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: 8.3 x 8.9 x 1.9cm (3 1/4 x 3 1/2 x 3/4 in.)
Materials
Exterior: 4-ply, laminate film; Velcro, paper, adhesive
Interior: Compressed peanut cubes
Inventory Number
A19860588000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.