How Did Astronauts Cook Chicken And Steaks In Space?

Barbecue In Space?

Imagine floating in microgravity, gazing at Earth through a porthole … and smelling fresh barbecue?!

That’s no sci-fi dream. Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station just cooked chicken wings and steaks for the very first time in space.

Thanks to a newly delivered hot-air oven, humans have officially “barbecued” in orbit.

Of course, fire is a no-go in space, so this isn’t your typical "grill." It's smokeless and oil-free, designed to circulate hot air evenly in microgravity where heat doesn’t rise naturally.

It’s a marvel of engineering, featuring breakthroughs in temperature control, residue collection and filtration to meet strict safety and emission standards in space. The result? Freshly cooked meals that are safe for astronauts and compatible with the space station’s power system.

The oven can reach temperatures around 375 DEGREES F, meaning it's able to cook food fast by space standards.

Space cuisine has come a long way since the early days. During the Gemini and Apollo missions of the 60s and 70s, astronauts survived on freeze-dried cubes or rehydrated meals eaten straight from a pouch.

They couldn't even risk eating bread, as floating crumbs could damage equipment or physically hurt someone on the crew. Today, thanks to Tiangong's new space oven technology, the station's menu boasts nearly 200 items, including nuts, cakes, fresh vegetables and now meals cooked in orbit.

This milestone is part of the Shenzhou-21 mission, which launched Chinese astronauts to Tiangong for a six-month stay to carry out experiments, test new technologies and expand China’s long-term human presence in orbit. During their stay, the crew is responsible for everything from operating the station’s systems to running scientific research, including studies on plant growth and the effects of microgravity.

The new culinary upgrades tie in perfectly with life aboard the station. Astronauts have been growing their own lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and sweet potatoes in the onboard vegetable garden. Now, thanks to this new oven, they can turn those fresh veggies into actual dishes.

Next stop, perhaps a floating pizza party above Earth? For now, the aroma of chicken wings in orbit is a first for humanity, making space feel just a little more like home.

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