Alain Ducasse To Send French Food To Space

The astronauts aboard the International Space Station will have some exciting new food on their plates this summer, as NASA struck a new deal to provide them with some impressive gourmet French cuisine on special occasions.

According to The Local, NASA has awarded a contract to Hénaff, a Breton company that produces tinned paté, to package a specialty French menu created by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse that will then be sent into space. 

"The dishes were specially conceived and we were asked to sterilize them and package them in ultra-light aluminum boxes," said Loïc Hénaff, head of the company. Hénaff was chosen as the supplier because it is the only French company that uses conservation and packaging techniques that comply with USDA standards, The Local reports. 

The Ducasse meals are intended for special occasions like birthdays and holidays, and will comprise 25 dishes including celeriac purée, Breton lobster, duck breast confit with caper sauce, organic quinoa with seaweed, Menton lemon condiment, and chocolate cake.