Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Materials:
Aluminum
Spring Steel
Velcro
Synthetic Fabric
Magnetized Rubber
Adhesive
Synthetic rubber (Neoprene)
Dimensions:
3-D: 43.2 x 22.9 x 5.7cm (17 x 9 x 2 1/4 in.)
Type:
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Food & Food Accessories
Country of Origin:
United States of America
Summary:
The Space Shuttle did not have a table for crew meals. Instead, the astronauts placed their food containers on a tray, strapped it to one of their legs, and then fiound a place to anchor themselves while they ate. This tray is an early design that had tracks and cavities to hold the food containers and a magnet to hold the utensils in place. A later tray had a smooth surface and strips of Velcro to lock Velcro-backed food containers in place. The tray is a small example of the big challenges of doing normal tasks, like eating, in weightlessness. NASA transferred this tray and a variety of Shuttle foods to the Museum in the 1980s.
Credit Line:
Transferred from NASA Johnson Space Center
Inventory Number:
A19870117000
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source:
National Air and Space Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv98bcb37ea-c69e-40a5-86be-0359fb25893a
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nasm_A19870117000