Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) marked Thanksgiving with a festive meal, cultural exchange, and the arrival of new crew members on November 23, 2023. At approximately 250 miles above Earth, the astronauts enjoyed a variety of traditional and unique foods, showcasing the spirit of the holiday far from home.
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, celebrating his second Thanksgiving in space, expressed enthusiasm about the occasion. In a video message from the ISS, he stated, “This is my second Thanksgiving in space, so I highly recommend it.” The meal preparation was thoughtfully arranged, with contributions from the agency’s food lab to ensure a memorable experience for the crew.
Holiday Menu in Orbit
The holiday feast included a special “Holiday Bulk Overwrapped Bag” (BOB) that was delivered during a recent resupply mission. This bag contained a selection of seafood and other delicacies, featuring clams, oysters, crab meat, quail, and smoked salmon. Zena Cardman, another NASA astronaut, remarked on the efforts made by ground teams, saying, “Our ground teams and the food lab at NASA have taken such great care of us.”
Traditional Thanksgiving staples were also part of the menu. The astronauts enjoyed turkey and mashed potatoes, packed in a way to prevent crumbs from floating in the microgravity environment. Cardman highlighted a special treat, stating, “We’ve even got some lobster, which is amazing. So I think it’s going to be a really, really delicious meal.” Fincke also showcased a can of cranberry sauce sent by the Russian space agency, acknowledging the emotional significance of the occasion. “I’m going to miss my family, of course. But I’m up here with my space family, and it’s really awesome,” he shared.
A Diverse Celebration
The Thanksgiving gathering featured a diverse crew. Alongside Fincke and Cardman, Jonny Kim from NASA joined three Russian cosmonauts and Kimiya Yui from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Yui emphasized the importance of cultural respect in the unique environment of the ISS. “We don’t have Thanksgiving in Japan, but here, on ISS, everybody respects each other’s culture,” he noted.
The celebration was further enriched by the arrival of Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts, who launched aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan earlier that day. The spacecraft, which lifted off at 04:27 EST, docked with the ISS after a swift three-hour journey, bringing the total number of crew members on board to ten.
Food plays a vital role in maintaining morale for astronauts in isolation. Mark Marquette, director of the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation, highlighted the significance of holiday meals. “Good old comfort food. And this is what I think Thanksgiving represents in space,” he explained. He added that recreating familiar dishes helps to “bring a sense of humanity” and supports psychological well-being during long missions.
Thanksgiving in space remains a moment for astronauts to connect, share, and reflect, even amidst the challenges of living in microgravity. The celebration encapsulated not only a traditional holiday meal but also the essence of camaraderie and cultural appreciation that characterizes life aboard the ISS.
