Astronauts aboard China’s Tiangong space station can now prepare freshly roasted meals using a newly unveiled smoke-free oven, marking a significant step in long-duration space living.
A Chinese astronaut recently demonstrated the compact oven, showing how chicken wings could be roasted without generating smoke or charcoal residue in microgravity conditions. This represents a new capability for in-orbit meal preparation.
Liu Weibo, deputy director of design at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, confirmed that the new device is the “first oven that can be used on a space station.”
The wall-mounted oven can reach temperatures up to 160 degrees Celsius. It is designed to cook food through accelerated chemical reactions, rather than merely warming it.
Its multi-layered filter technology ensures that cooking does not produce smoke, a critical safety feature in a closed space environment.
The Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) stated that the Tiangong station is also equipped to grow produce such as cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes. These freshly grown ingredients could potentially be prepared using the new oven.
Xuan Yong, a CNSA researcher, assured that the team worked to guarantee the oven’s safe and reliable operation. Beyond meats and vegetables, the device can also be used to bake cakes and roast nuts.
Previously, astronauts relied primarily on pre-cooked meals or processed foods that required only rehydration or warming. Fresh produce, like fruits and vegetables, had to be consumed quickly to prevent spoilage.