Packaging Materials for Thermally Processed Foods in Future Space Missions

摘要

Thermally processed shelf-stable foods are important in International Space Station (ISS) programs and essential to the success of future long-duration manned space missions. NASA uses military MRE pouch material to package thermally processed foods for ISS. But the packaging material for MRE pouches contains aluminum (A1) foil as moisture and oxygen barrier. A1 foils create potential problem for solid waste disposal in long duration missions, adds much weight, and are not compatible with some of the emerging processing technologies. This is a need to explore the use of non-foil materials that can provide designed shelf-life of 3-5 years for future space missions. This report presents a review on the current status of package options for thermally processes shelf-stable foods and provides an assessment on the potential of using commercially available 02 and moisture barrier films as a part of package materials for thermally processed foods in future long-duration manned space missions. Based on several criteria, including potential problem in solid waste disposal, weight, mechanical and barrier properties, as well as commercial readiness, laminated EVOH films and SiOx coated films hold most promise as the future package materials for long-term manned space missions. But as of today, none of the commercial pouch films can provide the required 02 barrier for 3-5 year shelf-life at ambient temperature. Research is needed to investigate the synergistic effects of better engineered laminated structures, shorter processing times at elevated temperature, and controlled storage conditions to meet the requirements of long-duration space missions, especially missions to Mars.