While millions of Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving on Earth this Thursday, a unique celebration is unfolding 408 kilometers above the planet. The crew aboard the International Space Station is gearing up for their own Thanksgiving festivities, complete with a specially prepared gourmet meal that marks a significant upgrade from early space celebrations.
From Salmon-Colored Glue to Gourmet Delights
The tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving in space isn't new, but the quality of food has dramatically improved. According to historical records, the first space Thanksgiving occurred back in 1973 when the Skylab 4 crew attempted to mark the occasion. However, their celebration featured what Florida Today described as an unappetizing "turkey salad that resembled salmon-colored glue poured into a chrome cat-food-like can."
This year's celebration aboard the ISS represents a culinary revolution in space dining. The astronauts will enjoy a genuine feast including clams, oysters, crab meat, quail, smoked salmon, and various side dishes. This gourmet spread was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on September 14, specifically timed for the Thanksgiving celebration.
The Psychological Importance of Comfort Food in Space
Mark Marquette, director of the American Space Museum in Titusville, emphasized the significance of such meals for astronauts living in the challenging environment of space. "Good old comfort food. And this is what I think Thanksgiving represents in space," he told Florida Today.
He further explained that "the comfort-food aspect of it is a real benefit to your psychological world of living in outer space" - highlighting how familiar Earth traditions and foods play a crucial role in maintaining mental wellbeing during extended space missions.
New Crew Members Joining the Celebration
The Thanksgiving celebrations coincide with the arrival of new crew members. On Thursday, November 27 at 4:27 AM EST, three astronauts will begin their journey to the International Space Station aboard a Roscosmos Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The crew includes NASA's Chris Williams alongside Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. Their spacecraft will undertake a two-orbit, three-hour journey, docking at the ISS's Rassvet module at 7:38 AM EST. NASA confirms they will join Expedition 73's crew to continue scientific research aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The launch will be covered live on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube, allowing Earthbound viewers to witness the beginning of this new crew's space journey as the current ISS residents celebrate their cosmic Thanksgiving.
