Japanese scientists to develop astro-noodle
which will be eaten by astronauts in orbit.
A leading Japanese food manufacturer has announced its plans to make space noodles, reports Ananova.com this week.
The company, Nissin Food Products, is about to begin work with Japan's Space Agency to design an instant noodle which can be eaten in orbit.
Nissin targeting the launch of the snack for 2004 when the first part of Japan's Kibo research module will be added to the International Space Station, and it has already named its noodle product "Space Ram".
Japan also has plans to build a relaxing traditional tea room into its section of the space station where the noodles might be eaten.
A Nissin spokesman said: "There's a need for nutritional, tasty Japanese food that the astronauts are accustomed to eating at home. There have been growing calls among our astronauts for something like this."
Nissin said its top researchers will be devoting their time to making a product that tastes good and doesn't fall apart in zero gravity.
