This item (dehydrated vegetables) was returned from the first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1 (Columbia), in 1981. It is typical of Shuttle-era menu choices. As there is no onboard refrigerator or freezer, most foods stocked on the Shuttle are processed for storage at room temperature. Astronauts add hot or cold water to rehydrate the dried foods. Astronauts may tailor their menus according to their personal tastes, but within nutritional guidelines.
