Hubble Bubble, ISS Trouble: Astronaut Reviews Fast-Food in Space

NASA Astronaut’s Cosmic Cheeseburger: A Taste of Home in Zero Gravity
By Shivali Best, Daily Mail
Updated: 12:07 BST, 19 May 2025

While NASA’s rovers traverse Mars and probes orbit Saturn, astronaut Jonny Kim has tackled a more digestible challenge: crafting a cheeseburger 260 miles above Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His inventive—if unconventional—creation highlights the quirks of cooking in zero gravity.

A Burger Built for Space

Kim’s recipe (Image 1) swaps traditional buns for wheat snack bread, uses a rehydrated beef steak as the patty, and relies on congealed cheddar cheese spread as both topping and adhesive. Layering in rehydrated potatoes au gratin and spicy gochujang paste from a SpaceX Dragon resupply mission, Kim called it a “twist on the ranger burger” in a tweet. “I miss cooking for my family, but this hits the spot,” he wrote.

Without fresh ingredients, Kim’s culinary feat required improvisation. Freeze-dried beef and potatoes were rehydrated, while the sticky cheese spread held layers together. The gochujang paste, a Korean staple from a care package, added a rare personal touch.

Social Media Reactions

Though the floating burger lacks the appeal of Earth-bound fast food, space enthusiasts applauded Kim’s ingenuity. “In outer space while inventing new lunchables! Keep up the good work,” one user replied. Another praised the “tasty-looking sandwich and views from your adventures.” Others humorously critiqued its aesthetics: “It’s the thought that counts… but maybe stick to astronaut ice cream!”

Not the First Space Burger

Kim follows in the footsteps of astronaut Terry Virts, who in 2015 shared his tortilla-wrapped “space cheeseburger” (Image 2) using Russian mustard and cheese paste. “VERY TASTY!” Virts tweeted, though photos revealed a similarly unappetizing appearance.

Life on the ISS

The $100 billion ISS, a collaborative project involving NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA, has housed astronauts since 2000. Crews conduct vital microgravity research but rely on prepackaged meals. Creative cooking, like Kim’s burger, offers psychological comfort during months-long missions.

The ISS: A Hub of Global Partnership

Since 2000, the ISS has hosted 244 astronauts from 19 countries, including eight private citizens who paid up to $50 million for visits. Over 3,000 studies in medicine, biology, and materials science have been conducted aboard. However, its future beyond 2025 is uncertain as aging modules near operational limits. Russia plans its own orbital platform, while private firm Axiom Space aims to attach commercial modules. NASA and partners are developing a lunar-orbit station, cementing humanity’s presence beyond low-Earth orbit.

NASA’s food scientists continuously work to improve space cuisine, introducing items like tacos and fresh veggies grown onboard. Yet, as Kim’s burger shows, astronauts often rely on creativity to spice up menus.

While his burger won’t rival fast-food chains, it exemplifies the resilience required in space. As one fan noted, even a humble sandwich becomes extraordinary among the stars.

Images:

Jonny Kim’s ISS cheeseburger with wheat bread, beef, and cheese spread.
Terry Virts’ 2015 tortilla-wrapped space burger.
The ISS, a symbol of international collaboration orbiting Earth at 17,500 mph.

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