Food Manifest 
Key Update
With the Gaganyaan mission scheduled for launch in 2027 and just over a year to go, preparations are in full swing. Training for the four chosen astronauts—known as Gaganyatris—has already begun, while work on the spacecraft itself has also gained momentum. Alongside these efforts, scientists are focusing on another crucial aspect: the food that will sustain India’s astronauts in space.
Who is Preparing the Food?
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Food Technology Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), with centres in Mysuru and Dehradun, is working closely with ISRO to create a space menu. The goal is to design meals that are energy-rich, space-efficient, and comforting—giving astronauts the nourishment they need while letting them enjoy the familiar taste of Indian food.
The Chosen Astronauts
In 2024, ISRO named four Group Captains for the Gaganyaan mission:
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Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
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Shubhanshu Shukla
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Angad Pratap
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Ajit Krishnan
Both Shukla and Nair were part of the Axiom-4 mission, which concluded on July 15, 2024. Shukla served as the mission pilot and became the first Indian to spend 20 days in space, including 18 aboard the International Space Station.
The Food Challenge
Designing astronaut food is no easy task. CSIR-CFTRI scientists emphasise that meals must be wholesome, filling, and appealing, not just nutritious. Since Indians are particular about taste, the menu must balance calorie and nutrient requirements with the comfort of familiar flavours. Dairy-based and frozen foods are promising options, but their form, texture, and taste must be carefully adapted for use in space.
The lab has already developed millet tablets, where four pills equal one meal. Taken three times a day, a total of twelve pills can meet an astronaut’s daily nutritional needs. However, tablets alone cannot provide the variety and satisfaction required, so the team is also experimenting with:
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Paratha pills
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Powdered versions of Indian staples like sambar rice, dosa, and chapati
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Reformulated Indian dishes designed to retain both quality and appearance
These formulations are undergoing tests to ensure astronauts not only stay healthy but also enjoy their meals.
Feedback from Space
When Shubhanshu Shukla returned to India on August 16, 2025, he shared his experience of eating Indian food in orbit. He had carried gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, vegetable biryani, dal, rajma-rice, khichdi, roti, and mango nectar. Despite this variety, he admitted he still missed the authentic taste of home. CSIR-CFTRI plans to use his feedback to fine-tune the menu for Gaganyaan.
Looking Ahead
By the time Gaganyaan lifts off in 2027, India’s astronauts will have a specially designed Indian menu that is nutritious, space-efficient, and comforting—keeping them physically strong and emotionally connected to home, even as they journey beyond Earth.
Source: Foodtech News
