Space Ramen!

Tetsujin28 writes "Nissin Foods Products has agreed to collaborate with NASDA (Japan's space agency) to create instant ramen for use on Japan's ISS module, to be launched beginning in 2004. (Fun detail: the NASDA research module is named Kibo.)" Eating ramen in zero-gee has got to be an interesting trick.

It's All in the Noodles

[megabulk3000]

Washington (April 18) -- In a major step to validate new technology for the X-33 Reusable Noodle Vehicle (RNV) Program, NASA will test samples of two advanced Nissin Top Ramen flavors on the Space Shuttle Columbia as it re-enters the atmosphere at the end of its current mission. Landing is currently scheduled for Saturday morning at the Kennedy Space Center, with two windows of opportunity - either 7:24 or 8:59 a.m Eastern Time.

"NASA's RNV program is innovating new and better ways to protect space ramen from high temperatures experienced during reentry through the atmosphere," said Lori Garver, Executive Director of the National Space Society. "The new technology is being designed to dramatically reduce the time and cost of reconstituting between RNV flights."

The Space Shuttle requires an army of personnel to inspect and replace damaged noodles after each mission. For the RNV program, NASA is working in partnership with private industry to create a new noodle protection system that is non-soggy and can be used repeatedly requiring minimal maintenance.

The advanced spicy cod roe spaghetti flavor tested on the Shuttle orbiter will be flown on the vehicle's underbelly and near the rear engines where noodles regularly experience much damage. According to engineers, the new "kimchi" material is an order of magnitude better than the Shuttle's current flavor technology.

"Developing a low-cost, low-maintenance noodle delivery system is one of the major goals of the RNV program," Garver said. "Engineers also are designing zero-gravity styrofoam cups that can be used repeatedly, and upgrading flavor packets so they don't have to be refilled after each flight."

Nissin CNO Takeshi Otaka says, "The block of noodles suspended in the cup has a higher G-force towards the top of the nest. This allows the hot water [injected] to surround the whole noodle nest and loosen and rehydrate it rapidly. The vegetables stay atop the noodles, helping it to look appetizing and delicious. Because the block of noodles is flush against the inside surface of the cup, it inhibits noodle breakage and increases cup strength, therefore minimizing cup damage during re-entry."

Rendez-Vous with Ramen

[jellybear]

Just wanted to use that subject line...

Ramen!

[ShavenYak]

Boy, that takes NASA's "faster, cheaper, better" mantra to a new level, doesn't it?