PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S ): Malcolm C. Smith and Rita M. Rapp 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : Food and Nutrition 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Apollo-Soyuz Test Project 



CLASSIFICATION : Human 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Environmental health 



OBJECTIVES : To determine nutrient energy requirements . 



PROTOCOL : Certain nutrients, in particular Na and K, were concentrated in 

 those foods for which the crew displayed the highest preference and which were 

 deemed most likely to be consumed. As much as possible of the minimum 

 nitrient requirements were included in a basic diet of approximately 1800-2000 

 kilocalories (kcal). Pref light lean body mass was determined by measurement 

 of total body K in the low-background radiation counting facility at the 

 NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. On the basis of Skylab energy 

 consumption data and ASTP total body K measurements, the energy required to 

 maintain LBM during the ASTP mission was predicted. 



EQUIPMENT : None identified. 



RESULTS : Estimates of in-flight food consumption based on daily reports 

 indicate that averages of 2900, 3000, and 2867 kcal/day were consumed by the 

 ACDR, the CMP, and the DMP, respectively. No gastrointestinal problems were 

 encountered during the mission. Appetites during flight were reported to be 

 the same as during the pref light period. The CMP reported changes in the 

 taste of foods during flight and indicated that salty foods tasted best to 

 him. As on previous Apollo missions, the crew reported gas in the hot water 

 supply which interfered with complete rehydration of the food. Throughout the 

 mission, high-priority activities and work schedules frequently precluded 

 adequate time for meal preparation and food consumption. 



CONCLUSIONS : In general, the crew was satisfied with the quality and quantity 

 of flight food provided. 



PUBLICATIONS: 486 



n 



