Space Bites: Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist

by Vickie Kloeris

“During her decades-long career at NASA, my friend and colleague Vickie Kloeris made sure my fellow astronauts and I were well-fed and healthy while in space. Space Bites is not only a compilation of stories of her amazing career but also a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of human space travel. Read this book to be inspired and to learn, and don’t be surprised if it also leaves you hungry for some space food.” —Mike Massimino, Former NASA Astronaut and NY Times Bestselling Author of An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe As a microbiology undergrad entering her final semester at Texas A&M University, Vickie found she was missing a single one-hour credit in her elective studies. As she scanned through the list of approved options, a course in food microbiology caught her eye. Vickie didn’t know it then, but that seemingly simple decision would drastically change the course of her career—and life—from that moment forward. Vickie Kloeris’s Space Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist takes readers through the many memorable moments of her career as she worked on both the Shuttle and International Space Station food systems. If you’ve ever wanted an inside look at what it’s like to assemble a sandwich in space, produce a space food breakfast for the cast of Apollo 13 , or work side by side with astronauts as they prepare for the journey of a lifetime, you’re sure to learn something new with the turn of every page. A charming balance of technical knowledge and human experience, Vickie’s career memoir is a story for the scientist, space enthusiast, and spontaneous reader alike.

Genres: Food

141 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and so interesting to learn about what is consumed in space. Saw Vickie signing books at IFT- a great example of the many directions to take a food science degree!

[Kelly Titus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and fascinating peek into the why and how of creating food for our astronauts! This book explores the author's experience with NASA in creating the food that astronauts eat, allowing for not only nutritious, but varied and good tasting options. It's amazing what a details have to be taken into consideration!

[Houria Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally managed to get my hands on this book, and it was an incredible experience! Space Bites challenged me in the best way to think about the endless possibilities of ensuring food safety and quality beyond Earth. Vickie Kloeris, MS, CFS ’ journey is truly inspiring, and I can only hope to build such a fulfilling career in food science one day.

Reading this book opened my eyes to so many fascinating aspects of space food. The level of preparation that goes into every meal, from protecting astronauts from foodborne illnesses to ensuring nutrition and cultural adaptation, is truly inspiring. I was especially intrigued by the concept of worn and carry-on food, the way food is tested under simulated space conditions, and the adaptability required for unexpected launch delays. Even small details, like why bite-sized cookies and crackers are used to prevent crumbs from floating in microgravity, reveal how much thought goes into making space food work!

This book also made me realize how food microbiology can lead to a career in space programs—something I had never considered before, despite my deep passion for the field.

For any food scientist or anyone simply fascinated by food, Space Bites is a must-read. Insightful and engaging, this book made me rethink food science as a career path beyond Earth. Highly recommend!