Chinese astronauts enjoyed a mouthwatering meal and achieved a culinary first on-board the Tiangong Space Station with a special in-orbit barbecue to celebrate the arrival of the Shenzhou-21 crew who are taking over from the soon-to-depart members of the Shenzhou-20 mission.
The three Shenzhou-21 crew members arrived at the space station on Saturday after blasting off from northwest China late the previous evening, while the trio of astronauts of the Shenzhou-20 mission are now preparing to bring their six-month stay in space to an end.
The current handover of duties marks the seventh such rendezvous to have taken place between two different crews onboard China's space station and the occasion was marked in style as the six astronauts put to use a newly-delivered piece of equipment -- a hot-air oven.
The Space Station briefly became the unlikely setting for a high-flying cooking show as the crew prepared some culinary delights in their new "space kitchen," and excitement among the astronauts was clear as they eagerly huddled round the new oven awaiting their gourmet meal.
Precisely 28 minutes later, a tray of perfectly grilled chicken wings emerged.
"Look at that! It's sizzling with oil -- looks great, smells great, must taste great," said Wu Fei, who is making his first spaceflight as a crew member of the Shenzhou-21 mission.
The astronauts could barely wait to tuck into their feast, sharing laughter and delight high above the Earth.
"Those fresh chicken wings are making my mouth water. One for each of us; no extras. Leave a big one to the cameraman," said Chen Dong, Shenzhou-20's mission commander, as the crew videoed this historic first grilled meal.
The arrival of the hot air oven and its installment in the Chinese space station represents a major step forward in the basic living habits of the astronauts, who previously carried out a simple reheating of pre-packed meals but can now enjoy the thrill of cooking and baking in space.
"It's really delicious. That was the first batch of chicken wings, next up is the steak," said Chen.
The joyful barbecue was soon to get even better, as after finishing the first round of chicken wings, it was time to serve up some beef.
"It's such a rare treat to enjoy grilled steak in space," said Wang Jie, another member of the outgoing Shenzhou-20 mission.
"Just from the color alone, they already look great! The aroma is already wafting all over [the space station]. They were marinated and seasoned in advance," said Wu.
Zhang Hongzhang, another debutant of the Shenzhou-21 mission, could not have imagined a tastier welcome to space.
"The steaks are ready! Look at that glistening finish!" he said as the sizzling steaks were pulled from the oven.
The expansion of the "space kitchen" will undoubtedly enhance the dining experience for the Shenzhou-21 astronauts as they embark on a busy program of work over the coming months, while the Shenzhou-20 crew must now be craving a taste of home as they gear up for their imminent return to Earth.
Chinese astronauts enjoy meat feast during first-ever space BBQ
Chinese astronauts enjoy meat feast during first-ever space BBQ
