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.

Comments

Ramen: Not just for college students anymore.

[SocialWorm]

I wonder how soon it will be before this is marketed to the general public, although I see no reason why people can't just survive on ice cream.

Better info

[jsimon12]

Here is a link with a little more info, I personally don't think cabbage flavored ramen and weightlessness would really go together, but I am not Japanese. http://www.space.com/news/space_ram_020415.html

But HOW (to eat)?

[kasnol]

I know there are 2 types of raman u can eat in Japan, one is hot soup based and one is where you eat it cold (dip into soya-sauce).

However in space if u eat it with hot soup, you can't really "pick" it up from zero grav, nor can you dip it into the sauce first then eat, which is where all the fun is.

Further more you need to pick them up using chopsticks ?

or maybe the final product will be straw ("slurp") based, who knows ? :)
But then it won't be raman anymore ...

Hope there are futher info on the final product when it is implemented in future.

Texas style ramen / Cereal Ramen

[Veramocor]

For the true ramen experience.

1.Cook your ramen (microwave or stovetop), do not mix in the packet.

2.Drain all water out of ramen.

3.The mix in the packet.

4. eat ramen, with milk nearbye in case your mouth starts to burn

5. enjoy

6. for more flavor use 2 packets per one ramen serving.

Now you might think I'm kidding but i used to eat ramen like this back in the day.

for cereal ramen just eat the ramen uncooked! Use the extra packet for texas style ramen above!!

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?

Re:tautology

[The Ape With No Name]

It is only a tautology if you know what kimchi is. There is no a priori notion of kimchi. If asked, "What is kimchi?" The answer would be: "A Korean delicacy made with spiced, pickled cabbage." Also, does the word "kimchi" translate as "spice, pickled cabbage?"

Re:actually, only sort of

[The Ape With No Name]

Best kimchi in knoxville is at the Oriental Market on Sutherland. Grandma is in the back pickling while you buy inari for sushi. Really cheap too. I did not know that about cucumber style. Sounds delish.