Two general classes of food warming methods for use aboard a space vehicle were studied; one class using electrical energy, the other using direct thermal energy. Electrical heating methods investigated were electromagnetic, ultrasonic energy electricaily-produced, and electrical resistance direct thermal energy sources evaluated were nuclear, solar, chemical, and a heat pump system. Electrical resistance heating, - utilizing direct conductance to transfer heat to the food, was considered the most feasible of the electrical methods, and a solar heat-sink the most feasible of the direct thermal methods. Each pre¬ferred method appeared to be the most compact, reliable, economical, and safe in relation to the energy source employed.
展开▼
