Khichdi failed: Why Nasa cleared just three space foods prepared by DRDO

Shubhanshu Shukla said DRDO prepared several Indian dishes for his ISS mission, but only three were cleared for flight. The episode highlights the strict testing and time pressures shaping India's space food plans for Gaganyaan.Food flown to space must undergo extensive testing to ensure it remains safe. (Photo: PTI)When Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2025, he carried a taste of home with him, but only a small part of what scientists had originally hoped to send.Speaking on a podcast with Raj Shamani, Shukla revealed that the Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), a DRDO laboratory developing space food for India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, had prepared an extensive menu of Indian dishes for space qualification.However, after rigorous testing, only three items — Gajar Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Ka Halwa and Amras — were certified for flight."We tried to take Indian food. DFRL, which is under DRDO and is making food for the Gaganyaan mission, wanted to qualify as much food as possible so it could eventually be certified for space," Shukla said. The original menu included favourites such as khichdi, pulao, vegetables and several other Indian dishes. But getting food approved for space is far more complicated than simply preparing a meal. According to Shukla, there was no single reason why the remaining dishes failed to make it aboard. One of the biggest challenges was time."They wanted to do more tests, but we did not have enough time. So only three foods could clear all the qualification requirements," he explained.Food flown to space must undergo extensive testing to ensure it remains safe, nutritious and stable for months without refrigeration. It must also withstand launch vibrations, operate safely in microgravity, avoid producing floating crumbs or excess moisture, and meet stringent microbial safety standards.Although Shukla could not consume the three certified Indian dishes, the rest of the international crew sampled them in space."I couldn't eat any Indian food as all three items were shared with my crewmates, and they really enjoyed them. What better way to be in space than sharing food?" he said. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla sharing a meal with other astronauts on the Space Station. (Photo: Axiom Space) Despite carrying a taste of India, Shukla admitted that by the 13th day of his mission, he began craving familiar flavours.Life in microgravity changes the human body in unexpected ways. Fluid shifts toward the head often leave astronauts feeling as though they have a blocked nose, reducing both taste and smell.In addition, NASA's space meals are generally prepared with lower sodium levels to protect astronauts' health during long-duration missions."I started craving salty and spicy food," Shukla recalled. "I even called my flight surgeon and asked if I could get something salty."His wish finally came true after landing back on Earth, when his Indian flight surgeon welcomed him with banana chips and bhakarwadi, simple snacks that, after weeks in orbit, tasted like home.The experience is expected to provide valuable lessons for DFRL as it continues developing a wider range of Indian space foods for future Gaganyaan astronauts, ensuring that India's first human spaceflight crew can enjoy a richer menu while living and working in orbit.- EndsPublished By: Sibu Kumar TripathiPublished On: Jul 22, 2026 16:12 IST