Freeze-dried ice cream 2246339 222135364 2008-06-27T18:52:31Z 67.170.33.167 minor fixes [[Image:FREEZE-DRIED IC slice.jpg|thumb|Freeze-dried [[Neapolitan ice cream]], shown with air-tight foil partially unwrapped]] '''Freeze-dried ice cream''', also known as '''astronaut ice cream'''<ref>This phrase is also a trademark of American Outdoor Products, Inc. [http://www.backpackerspantry.com/prodinfo.asp?number=130001]</ref> or '''space ice cream''', is a brick of dehydrated [[ice cream]] that is always ready to eat, with no need for refrigeration. It was developed by [[Whirlpool Corporation]] under contract to [[NASA]] for the [[Project Apollo|Apollo missions]].<ref name="Space Food">{{cite web |url=http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/lsda_data/nra_research_data/1994_space_food.pdf |title=Space Food |publisher=[[NASA]] |accessdate=2007-06-07}} The license is now held by Action Products International, Inc.</ref> [[Apollo 7]] in 1968 was the only NASA mission on which space ice cream flew in [[outer space]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ |title=NASA Spinoff homepage |publisher=[[NASA]] |accessdate=2007-06-07}}</ref> According to a NASA [[food scientist]], although freeze-dried ice cream was developed on request, "[i]t wasn't that popular."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/informal/features/F_Holiday_Dinner_in_Space_prt.htm |title=A Holiday Dinner in Space |date=[[December 15]] [[2005]] |author= |publisher=[[NASA]] |accessdate=2007-06-07}}</ref> Skylab had a refrigerator that was used for real ice cream,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/astronauts/food-history.html |title=History of Food in Space |publisher=[[NASA]] |accessdate=2007-06-07}}</ref> and occasionally shuttle and [[International Space Station]] astronauts have enjoyed real ice cream.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2006/09/16/orbital-ice-cream-atlantis-iss-surprise/ |title=Orbital Ice Cream, Atlantis’ ISS Surprise |publisher=LiveScience.com |date=2006-09-16 |accessdate=2007-06-07}}</ref> [[Freeze drying]] (or lyophilization) removes water from the ice cream by lowering the [[atmospheric pressure|air pressure]] to a point where ice shifts from a [[solid]] to a [[gas]]. The ice cream is placed in a vacuum chamber and frozen until the water crystallizes. The air pressure is lowered, creating a partial vacuum, forcing air out of the chamber; next heat is applied, vaporizing the ice; finally a freezing coil traps the vaporized water. This process continues for hours, resulting in a freeze-dried ice cream slice. Freeze-dried foods were developed so that foods could be sent on long-duration spaceflights, as to the Moon, and to reduce the weight of the water and oxygen normally found in food.<ref name="Space Food"/> Freeze-dried ice cream is ubiquitous in [[science museum]] gift shops, sometimes accompanied by other freeze-dried foods such as ice-cream sandwiches, various sliced fruits, and even pizza. It is even sold by [[mail-order]], and is a "top five seller" at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] gift shop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespaceshop.com/neopicecream.html |title=Astronaut Ice Cream -- Cookies and Cream |publisher=[[Kennedy Space Center]] |accessdate=2007-06-07}}</ref> ==See also == * [[Space food]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.astronautfoods.co.uk Edu-Sci Ltd - European Distributor of Official Astronaut Foods] * [http://www.theprofessorstastytechnology.com.au/crunchy-ice-cream.html The Australian version, called "Crunchy Ice Cream", is made by The Professors' Tasty Technology Pty Ltd.] [[Category:Dried foods]] [[Category:Human spaceflight]] [[Category:Ice cream]]