Thread: Astronaut Food

Why can't astronaut soup be heated to more than 95 degrees Celsius? What will happen if it does?

It's not a good idea to heat things up in an oxygen-rich atmosphere:


From ntrs.nasa.gov:

FLAMMABLE AND TOXIC MATERIALS
IN THE OXYGEN ATMOSPHERE
OF MANNED SPACECRAFT

ABSTRACT
A preliminary study of the considerations nec-
essary in selecting materials for use in an oxygen-
rich atmosphere revealed that a major design effort
must be directed toward reducing the toxic and flam-
mable contaminants of the atmosphere. The effect
of zero gravity in preventing convection is one as-
pect of research that deserves considerable effort
since heat transfer and flammability are two major
fields directly affected. Other research is needed
in human tolerances, static electricity, removal of
low -molecular -weight gas, fire extinguishment,
overall characteristics of materials exposed for long
periods in pure oxygen, and in the development of
adequate test procedures.

Thanks, that's all I need!

It also might have something to do with them living in less than 1 atmosphere of pressure...which would lower the boiling point of water.