Apollo EVA Food Supplies: Debunking the Hunger Myth

The Apollo missions to the Moon posed unique challenges to astronauts, including those of physical exertion and long periods in extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. Despite the strenuous tasks, astronauts on Apollo 15, 16, and 17 were well-equipped with food supplies to maintain their energy levels. How long were the EVAs, and was hunger ever an issue? Let's explore the details.

The Apollo Spacesuits and Food Sticks

The Apollo spacesuits were meticulously designed for long-duration EVAs. Inside the helmet rings, astronauts had easy access to food sticks, a crucial element in their survival during these extended spacewalks. Gene Cernan, a veteran astronaut, described the food situation during the lunar missions:

And then we also had one of these high protein or high calorie sticks shaped like a ruler. It was a soft stick and you could chew it. We had it inside a little bag and it was probably about eight inches long. It too was Velcroed just inside the helmet ring and we could put our chin down and pull a little bit out with our teeth take a bite chew it for some energy. It was typical candy-tasting stuff.

Charlie Duke, another astronaut, added to this:

During the review of preparations for Apollo 15 EVA-1, Dave Scott commented on the presence of these food sticks, which were indeed a valuable source of energy during the mission.

The audiotapes from the Apollo missions captured Dave Scott chomping on these food sticks during a break in his work, highlighting the practicality and necessity of these provisions.

EVAs of Apollo 15, 16, and 17

Let's delve into the specific durations of the EVAs for each mission:

Apollo 15: The mission included 5 EVAs, with the first being a 33-minute visual survey from the docking hatch. The subsequent three EVAs on the moon totaled about 18.5 hours, followed by one EVA to retrieve the SIM package from the Service module. Apollo 16: This mission featured 4 EVAs, with two each totaling more than 7 hours, one 5 hours and 40 minutes, and the last again for retrieval of the SIM package on the way back to Earth. Apollo 17: Notably, the mission consisted of 4 EVAs, with three on the moon each exceeding 7 hours, culminating in a total of about 22 hours. The final EVA was between the Moon and Earth to retrieve the SIM package.

Hunger: A Misconception During Long Missions

The idea that astronauts on these missions were ever seriously concerned about hunger during their long EVAs is unwarranted. According to Gene Cernan, the astronauts had no way of eating anything other than these food sticks, but they had sufficient energy to sustain them:

It was nice to be able to suck up a few ounces of water now and then and have something to chew on. That was it I mean we had no way of eating or drinking anything other than that. But having some water and a little candy was a real help it really was.

Charlie Duke echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the practicality and taste of these food sticks.

Dave Scott further noted that the food sticks were referenced in a cartoon on pages CDR-6 and CDR/LMP-7 of the Apollo 16 EVA-2 cuff checklists, highlighting their importance.

Is Hunger a Significant Issue in Space?

The notion that hunger would significantly impact astronauts' performance during space missions is a misconception. As Cernan pointed out, hunger is a normal sensation felt by everyone when meal times are overdue. Expert Charles Duke, a seasoned astronaut, added to this perspective:

Get some perspective please. We all experience hunger pains when we judge that a meal break is overdue. The worst hunger pains I remember were when I got to work/school and discovered I'd forgotten my sandwiches. Hunger pains began immediately. Even if it was 8:30 a.m. and breakfast was only half an hour ago.

Young, a retired NASA engineer, also weighed in, explaining that missing a meal is not life-threatening unless the individual has anorexia or meal skipping is a daily occurrence. Modern television shows like Bear Grylls have popularized the idea of “energy” equated to the need for immediate sustenance. However, a fit and healthy person can indeed skip a meal without significant metabolic consequences or performance degradation.

It's important to remember that whining about feeling hungry can lead to performance degradation, as whiners might become a burden to the crew. In fact, Charles Duke further emphasized the importance of maintaining professional performance in space missions:

Thanks to TV shows like Bear Grylls, we have been groomed to the concept of ‘energy’ usually compounded with the epithet ‘good’. In short, missing a meal does not automatically degrade human performance. A fit, healthy person can skip a meal without significant metabolic consequence or degradation of performance. If they lack professionalism and whinge about feeling hungry instead of getting on with the job, I admit, that is a potential cause of performance degradation.

Young's note concludes the discussion, acknowledging that missing 60 meals in a row would likely be fatal, reiterating the importance of appropriate food supplies during space missions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Apollo missions were meticulously prepared with food sticks to ensure astronauts had the necessary energy during their EVAs. The notion that hunger was a significant problem during these long missions is a misperception. With proper training and appropriate food supplies, astronauts could and did perform their tasks without being overly concerned about hunger.