Tubes and Cubes

Tubes and Cubes: A Conceptual Re-Enactment of Apollo 11’s First Meal

“Tubes and Cubes” is a conceptual dinner that intricately re-enacted the first day’s meal of the historic Apollo 11 moon mission, transcending the boundaries of a traditional dining experience to engage in a profound exploration of history, science, and the future of food. The event was conceived and curated by Ece Pazarbaşı, with the culinary expertise of chef Okan Tapan, and was realized upon the invitation of TUNCA under the umbrella of “Kitchen Without Reception” project.

The title, “Tubes and Cubes,” serves as a wry homage to the nomenclature coined by NASA’s astronaut nutrition department, where the constraints of space travel necessitated that all food consumed by astronauts was either contained in tubes or shaped into cubes. This functional, yet unconventional approach to nourishment provided the foundation for an event that sought to delve deeper into the implications of food in the context of human advancement and exploration.

As each course was served in the manner it was presented to the Apollo 11 astronauts, the event was punctuated by a series of discussions that not only illuminated the rigorous research and innovation behind space food but also connected these historical practices to contemporary and future challenges in global nutrition. The dialogue extended into an examination of NASA’s ongoing research into the utilization of insects as a sustainable source of protein for astronauts—an initiative that is both forward-looking and reflective of broader trends in food security and sustainability on Earth.

This exploration underscored a critical shift in our global food systems, where the search for sustainable and resilient sources of nutrition is becoming increasingly urgent. The incorporation of insects into the astronaut diet, a practice grounded in the demands of space travel, is simultaneously a harbinger of future dietary practices on Earth. As NASA continues to pioneer advancements in this area, it offers a glimpse into a future where alternative protein sources may become commonplace, driven by the need to address the environmental and logistical challenges posed by a growing global population.

“Tubes and Cubes” was thus more than an artistic or culinary endeavor; it was a contemplative experience that invited participants to consider the trajectory of human progress, the innovations that have enabled our exploration of the cosmos, and the profound ways in which these developments may shape the future of life on Earth.