When we think of burgers and fries, we usually think of big, juicy patties with soft buns, plenty of fresh ingredients and condiments. But when you’re in space, burgers look a little different. Here’s how astronauts enjoy burgers in zero gravity.

The burger dilemma

As you may know, cooking and eating in space can be a challenge. Space agencies such as NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA have extensive experience in selecting and preparing foods for space travel. Factors like nutritional value, ease of storage and shelf life are carefully considered when choosing space food. Many astronaut foods are specially processed, undergoing irradiation or thermostabilization to eliminate bacteria and extend their shelf life. The importance of a satisfying diet is increasingly recognized for long-duration space missions, as a bland diet can negatively impact astronaut morale.

The International Space Station has limited cooking facilities, and most astronaut food is designed to be almost ready to eat, requiring minimal preparation. Cooking in space is challenging due to the lack of gravity, limited power supply, and the need to manage excess heat. Future advancements may allow astronauts to prepare food in a more kitchen-like setting. However, for now, pre-made food remains the norm—with one tasty exception.

The space taco-cheeseburger

Astronauts have a long-standing tradition of enjoying soft-shell tacos while in space. Tacos have become a popular choice for astronauts due to their ability to serve as ideal space food. In the weightless environment of space, crumbs and loose ingredients can pose a risk to equipment and instruments. Tacos help address this issue by holding the ingredients together in one place, aided by condiments that act as a “glue.” The majority of taco ingredients in space are rehydrated foods, similar to the typical diet of astronauts in orbit. A dash of hot sauce is often added to enhance the flavor.

Mexican payload specialist Rodolfo Neri Vela was the first to bring tortillas into orbit, and they quickly gained popularity among other astronauts. NASA now regularly sends tortillas to space as astronaut food.

The outer space burger conundrum

So what’s an astronaut to do when they have a burger craving in space? They get creative. U.S. astronaut Terry Virts made a “space cheeseburger” in 2015, while taking a lunch break during preparations for an upcoming spacewalk.  According to NASA, the space taco burger was made of beef patties, cheese, tomato paste and Russian mustard on a tortilla wrap.

As technology improves, we suspect space cuisine will, too—but in the meantime, space cheeseburgers and freeze-dried potatoes can fill the void.