From Irradiated Turkey to Crumb-Free Tortillas: The Evolution of Orbital Feasting

Space · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Celebrating Thanksgiving in orbit is a logistical feat of culinary engineering. Because crumbs can pose hazards in weightlessness, astronauts have had to adapt traditional favorites—like swapping bread for tortillas—to maintain the spirit of the holiday while ensuring the safety of the station.

The history of orbital Thanksgiving is marked by significant gaps and evolving menus. The first recorded celebration occurred on November 22, 1973, aboard Skylab 4. During this mission, while two crew members performed a 6-hour and 33-minute spacewalk, the third remained in a docking adapter with no food access; the group eventually made up for the missed lunch by eating two dinners, though no special holiday items were served. The Skylab 4 crew was on an 84-day mission when this first milestone occurred. This initial celebration was a unique instance of shared gratitude during a period of intense scientific work.

It took twelve years for the next orbital Thanksgiving, which took place on November 28, 1985, aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. This feast featured shrimp cocktail, irradiated turkey, and cranberry sauce. A notable culinary shift occurred during this mission when payload specialist Rodolfo Neri Vela introduced tortillas to the menu. Because tortillas do not create crumbs—a major hazard in microgravity—they became a permanent staple for space missions. The STS-61B crew consisted of seven total members, including four Americans and one Mexican specialist. This mission also featured a specific menu of irradiated turkey and shrimp cocktail.

Modern celebrations, such as those on the International Space Station (ISS), involve complex coordination between ground teams and food labs. For example, during Expedition 73, the crew prepared a special holiday bag containing turkey, mashed potatoes, crab meat, and salmon. While the experience is defined by separation from family, it serves as a vital tool for maintaining morale and health during long-duration missions, transforming a solitary orbital stay into a shared 'space family' tradition. In 2025, the crew included NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, who was on her first flight. They also received special Russian cranberry sauce as a highlight of their holiday meal.

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