In the early days of the space program known as Project Mercury, complete meals were not needed. The major meal was consumed prior to the flight. However, the Mercury astronauts did contribute to the development of space food. They tested the physiology of chewing, drinking, and swallowing solid and liquid foods in a microgravity environment. These first astronauts found themselves eating bite-sized cubes of freeze-dried foods and semi-liquids in aluminum toothpaste-type tubes. The food was unappetizing, and there were problems when they tried to rehydrate the freeze-dried foods.

Question

In the early days of the space program known as Project Mercury, complete meals were not needed. The major meal was consumed prior to the flight. However, the Mercury astronauts did contribute to the development of space food. They tested the physiology of chewing, drinking, and swallowing solid and liquid foods in a microgravity environment. These first astronauts found themselves eating bite-sized cubes of freeze-dried foods and semi-liquids in aluminum toothpaste-type tubes. The food was unappetizing, and there were problems when they tried to rehydrate the freeze-dried foods.

-Excerpted from "NASA's Space, Food, and Nutrition" at nasa.gov

What can you infer from the fact that astronauts did not need full meals in space?

The Project Mercury astronauts were only in space for a short duration.

Project Mercury astronauts could get all of their nourishment from water.

The Project Mercury astronauts were not healthy and needed to diet in space.

Toothpaste was a popular source of food among Project Mercury astronauts.

Answer 1