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(LEAD) S. Korean space food wins quality recognition from Russia
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean-made food products designed for consumption in space have secured quality recognition from a Russian laboratory, a state-run food development institute said Wednesday.
The Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI) said 10 specially prepared foods and beverages received solid marks from the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) of the Russian Academy of Sciences early last week after extensive testing.
The food products checked include traditional dishes such as fried kimchi, hot pepper paste, pumpkin soup, cooked noodles and vegetables, bulgogi or beef stew and bibimbab, which is made by mixing rice with meat, assorted vegetables and seasonings.
Drinks such as green tea, red ginseng tea and sweet rice punch passed the IBMP's strict requirements along with curry and potato soup.
"On average they received four points out of a maximum five and will be provided for the Mars-500 project that is designed to simulate an actual manned missions to Mars," Kim Sung-soo, head of KFRI's food research team said.
The MARS-500 project, which will begin in June, is designed to determine whether a manned flight to Mars planned for 2030 is possible and aims to solve the many challenges that such a mission would face, including biomedical support for the crew.
KFRI chief researcher said the products are to be given to six astronaut candidates who will be locked up in specially built installation cut off from the outside world. Scientists will check the effect of the foods on the immune system, a critical aspect of their suitability for long-term space missions.
"At present the quality of the food developed is enough to ensure that they receive certification, but due to high costs the institute may delay taking such a step," Kim said.
He added that all foods and beverages were modified to meet the tastes of European astronauts and were packaged in double sunlight-reflecting, vacuum-sealed packaging for longer shelf life. All products were treated with high pressure and heat, or have a moisture content of less than 5 percent.
The latest certification follows the six types of food and beverage certified by the Russian laboratory in April 2008 and taken into space by South Korea's first astronaut, Yi So-yeon.
South Korea currently has 14 different products that have received official certification and can be sent up into space. Countries such as the United States and Russia have 200 and 130 certified space foods, respectively.
The IBPM and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are the only agencies that can check and certify foods and drinks bound for space.
Producing foods that can be consumed in space requires considerable manufacturing knowhow. The technology can be further developed to allow local companies to make dishes for medical patients and athletes, as well as for military and emergency rations, the Korean institute said, and could make it easier for local companies to export processed food products abroad.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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