Core Points - The article highlights a significant milestone in China's space exploration, marking the first time astronauts have cooked food in space, specifically using a hot air oven to prepare chicken wings [2][3][4] Group 1: Historical Context - The journey of Chinese space cuisine began in 2003 with Yang Liwei consuming packaged food, evolving to hot meals by 2005, and now featuring over 190 dishes in the space station [3][4] - The transition from merely heating pre-cooked meals to actual cooking represents a major advancement in space food technology [2][4] Group 2: Cooking Challenges in Space - Cooking in microgravity presents unique challenges, such as the absence of convection currents that normally help distribute heat evenly on Earth [8][9][12] - The production of oil smoke during cooking poses a significant risk in the closed environment of a space station, where any contaminants can threaten the life support systems [13][14] Group 3: Technological Innovations - The hot air oven developed for the Chinese space station incorporates a fan to create forced air circulation, simulating the convection effect found on Earth, allowing food to be cooked in just 28 minutes [14][17] - The oven also features an integrated smoke extraction system to manage and purify the air, ensuring that harmful particles do not circulate within the space station [14][17] Group 4: Future Prospects - While the successful cooking of chicken wings is a breakthrough, other cooking methods such as frying, steaming, and boiling remain complex challenges due to the unique conditions of microgravity [18][19] - The article suggests that advancements in technology, such as automated cooking systems, may be necessary for astronauts to enjoy a wider variety of freshly prepared meals in the future [19]

Core Points - The successful rendezvous of the Shenzhou 21 and Shenzhou 20 crews marks the seventh meeting in space for the Chinese space station, celebrated with a barbecue meal prepared using a newly brought hot air oven [1] Group 1: Development of the Hot Air Oven - The Shenzhou 21 mission introduced a new piece of equipment, the hot air oven, which allows astronauts to cook in space, effectively bringing a kitchen to the space station [2] - The hot air oven is a world-first innovation aimed at addressing the limitations of pre-packaged space food, which, while nutritionally adequate, does not meet the culinary preferences of astronauts [2][4] - The development of the hot air oven involved overcoming challenges related to cooking Chinese cuisine in a closed environment, which requires managing smoke and air quality [7] Group 2: Technical Features and Innovations - The hot air oven incorporates an integrated purification function to eliminate smoke, utilizing high-temperature catalysis and multi-stage filtration technology [9] - The oven's design ensures that all surfaces accessible to astronauts are safe from high-temperature risks, enhancing reliability and safety [9] - The cooking temperature has been increased from 100°C to 190°C, allowing for real cooking processes that produce flavorful meals, marking a significant advancement in space food preparation [10] Group 3: Culinary Options and Impact - The research team has prepared a diverse menu for the Shenzhou 21 crew, including chicken wings, steak, corn, and cake, which can be cooked in the hot air oven [12] - Astronauts can operate the oven through pre-set programs or manual controls, enabling them to prepare meals in a matter of minutes, enhancing their dining experience [12] - This innovation significantly improves the quality of life for astronauts by allowing them to celebrate special occasions with freshly cooked meals, thus enriching their overall experience in space [12]