When French astronaut Thomas Pesquet went up to join the crew on the International Space Station last week, he took with him gastronomic meals created by the chefs of the Ducasse Council. This is what fine dining looks like in space.
The Ducasse Council and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) via the Centre for Assistance in the Development of Activities in Microgravity and Space Operations (CADMOS) have been teaming up since 2004 to create a range of meals for astronauts to take with them on space missions to enjoy on special occasions.
Called the Special Event Meals-SEM programme, internationally certified French meals are launched into space with astronauts, giving them treats to look forward to as an occasional alternative to the daily fare provided by the Russians and the Americans.
The latest selections were sent up on 23rd April with French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and Americans Katherine Megan McArthur and Robert Shane Kimbrough, who joined the International Space Station crew.
Photo by Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS / AFP
On the menu for this mission are meals that would make any foodie drool. Buckwheat in tandoori, radishes and baby onions; cod with Camargue black rice and piquillos; Breton lobster, organic quinori with seaweed and lemon sauce from Menton; Burgundy-style beef cheeks, carrots and mushrooms; Clafoutis with pistachio and morello cherries; and morsels of melting apples are some examples of the fare.
In all, 92 dishes are provided for the six-month mission. Life in zero gravity provides certain constraints, such as special manufacturing processes to preserve both taste and nutritional values, which are stored in a lightweight metal containers.
In 2020, 10 vegetarian choices were added to the menu to bring the grand total of choices up to 40 recipes.
Food safety is naturally a preoccupation for the chefs, second only to the flavours of the meals. This, for the last decade, has been taken care of in Pouldreuzic, a town in western Brittany, by Jean Hénaff of the Jean Hénaff Research and Development Lab whose expertise lies in ensuring the meals are safe, healthy and well within the guidelines set out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The facility works closely in conjunction with CNES and the Ducasse Council.
Photo by the Ducasse Council
The six month process to see if a meal passes muster starts with the Ducasse Council, who develop the recipes in their own labs. The meals are then sent to Henaff’s facility to be prepared for sending and tested to find the perfect balance between something that seems like a pre-prepared canned dish and a home-cooked meal. The dishes are then tested under real conditions at food replenishment cycles at the space station.
Giving the astronauts the proper amount to nutrition is a tricky act, as definitions of “food” differ from person to person. Food choices and availability can have both physiological as well as psychological impacts on the crews. Muscle atrophy, decalcification, immune system deficiencies and cardiovascular problems are very real concerns, as are less severe conditions such as stress, nausea and relational imbalance.
The result is an effort to determine an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the long-term macro and micro-nutritional consequences of the space environment of astronauts and, on the other hand, increased consideration of possible psychological problems of the crew. These studies will eventually assist in how to best treat astronauts who go on extremely long-term missions.
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Restaurateurs and retailers in Monaco can use the lure of free taxi vouchers to draw in customers under a government-funded scheme that is also designed to support taxi drivers.
Productions on the storming of the US Capitol, Turkey’s gender-based violence, and the 1980s AIDS epidemic are among the contenders for this year's Monte-Carlo TV Festival Awards.
Charles Leclerc took 4th place at the Spanish GP, earning him 12 points and keeping him near the top of the heap ahead of his homecoming race in Monaco on 23rd May.
Mayor Georges Marsan has unveiled plans for the refurbishment of the beautiful Villa Lamartine, which will eventually be used as a multi-purpose entertainment and cultural venue.
Team Malizia is commissioning a new 60-foot boat built to better handle waves and maintain faster average speeds, whilst being highly sustainable, reliable and sturdy.
For the first time in 11 years, AS Monaco has made it to the Coupe de France finals after a win over Rumilly Vallières. They will now head to Stade de France to take on the mighty PSG.
The International University of Monaco will be hosting the first edition of the Sustainable Luxury Conference on Monday 17th May, a digital event that all are invited to join in.
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Oh this past weekend! For sure there was no shortage of activities and parties to take part in provided you found yourself in the right social scene on the Monaco/ Côte d’Azur landscape. From multi-million euro birthday bashes, to champagne showers and caviar-dotted dinner parties, social media was buzzing with style moments from familiar names and fresh faces. These were my favourite fashion moments from this weekend in Monaco. These days it’s less about glam and more about vibes.
Victoria Silvstedt
@VictoriaSilvstedt TV personality, model and Les Anges Gardiens de Monaco charity Ambassador Victoria Silvstedt pulled double denim duty at financier and Heavensake founder Carl Hirschmann’s birthday bash. The svelte Swede showed off her late summer tan and toned tummy in a white bustier crop top and a high-waisted white skirt. Victoria took us back to the early 2000s with the infamous denim Louis Vuitton speedy purse paired with a denim jacket and lace up open toe booties. With her signature tousled blonde hair, Silvstedt is the epitome of cool for the summer. But what I really want to know is, after running into her on Sunday at Anjuna beach, what is her anti-hangover regiment, because for a girl about town one can’t even tell, for she looks fresh faced on the tail-end of the weekend.
Rebecca Isabelle
@Chicbelles This Dubai-based style influencer has no problem giving the cold shoulder in hot weather. The blonde beauty explored the port area clad in an off-the-shoulder white Mango dress paired with one the seasons must have accessories, a Gucci double G belt, a pink Valentino bag and white Hermès Oran sandals. Showing her prowess in successfully mixing High Street and high end, Rebecca embodied Monaco summer style looking ready to pop off to a friend’s yacht or a poolside drink at the Meridien hotel.
Julien Giurado
@giura22 Julien Giurado, the dashing model and reality television star of shows such as Secret Story, Moundir et les Apprentis Aventuriers, and the upcoming series of Les Marseillais VS le reste du Monde, cut quite the figure in a blue plaid jacket, black t-shirt, black pants, and black-studded loafers most likely on his way to join girlfriend and fellow reality television star Martika Caringella for dinner at the Place de Casino. His long hair pulled back in a man bun the social media influencer looked calm and composed ahead of the premiere of his new show.
Yana Weiman
@yanaweiman Miss Yaroslavl/Vice-Miss Russia Yana Weiman showed that even after working out at World Class gym in Monaco, style never sleeps. Pretty in pink was the order of the day for the Russian beauty queen. In a pink crop top and embellished jeans accessorised with an iconic matching Lady Dior bag Yana gave us a much appreciated fashion victim moment shaking it up in furry flats from Ice Queen Design. Multiple question abounding, what I want to know is not how Ms Weiman can wear fur shoes in summer but how does her hair look so good post workout?? #GOALS
Lauren A.
@the.la.way I’m not going to lie, I stalk Lauren’s Instagram account regularly to follow the adventures of this brunette babe around Monaco. When it comes to serving looks she never disappoints. Positively glowing at the Place de Casino in an off the shoulder NALA top, NALA denim skirt, and Lady Dior bag Lauren celebrated the beginning off the weekend in style. Instagram tells me she’s someones wifey and is it any surprise with her endless supply of on -point outfits, phenomenal makeup skills and high taste level. Lauren A you make our Instagram popular pages brighter. Keep slaying.
Honourable Mention
Now I wasn’t even going to add this in but after MUCH consideration I have to give credit where credit is due: Michelle & her #GirlSquad
By chance Saturday night at Jimmy’z, I was sitting next to a table of girls that had me gagging in the best way with their looks. Here’s the thing about Monaco and fashion, it can be hit or miss. So many people try to be “fashion” and lose their STYLE.
When I saw Michelle dancing in her Gucci t-shirt and button up track pants I knew that she was dressing for herself. She knew who she was and didn’t care about the expectations of anybody else. While doing my research for this feature I found her Instagram, which further validated my initial thoughts. From Gucci tees, to track pants in the club and denim jackets paired with a custom Gucci Dionysus bag Michelle is THAT chick that looks good in everything.
The Squad
This wasn’t going to be added in either but I ran into Michelle’s squad at Sass Café and they were equally as fierce as her. I’m a bit tired of seeing the same look in Monaco, tight dress, stiletto heels, bad contour, etc. Comfy is the new cool.
Bumping into Vittoria Picci at Sass in that must have Gucci tee, athletic shorts and tennis shoes was refreshing. To be quite honest is there really any reason to put in any more effort than that for a Sunday night? However I don’t want to speak about that look alone in itself. Can we just talk about how Michelle, Vittoria, and Polina Moisseeva casually slay at drinks at Hotel de Paris? Note the Gucci tee, the Fendi bag, the dad hat, not to mention the Balenciaga boots and Vetements socks! Bravo girls, you’ve managed to put out-cool pretty much everybody twice your age in Monaco and doing it in t-shirts.
Instagram sensation and style blogger Louis Pisano writes SuperficialLivingDiary.com. Article first published September 4, 2017.
Richard Marangoni, Director of Public Safety, and Christophe Haget, Head of Criminal Investigation Division. © DSP[/caption]
Monaco has taken part in the 85th general assembly of Interpol, which took place over four days in Bali.
Apart from mainly administrative matters, the 830 police chiefs and other top law enforcement officials present discussed the reinforcement of police capabilities and resources in the face of international terror, cyber-criminality and organised crime.
Applications for Interpol membership from Kosovo, Palestine and the Solomon Islands were put on hold, pending a report to be made to the next general assembly, due to be held next year in Beijing.
Richard Marangoni, Director of Public Safety, and Christophe Haget, Head of Criminal Investigation Division, will meet top French security officials in Paris early in the new year.
Monaco received plaudits for developing an interface between its own checks of traveller and visitor documents and the Interpol database, a scheme known as “I-Checkit.” This has worked well in swiftly identifying false documentation.
Oh this past weekend! For sure there was no shortage of activities and parties to take part in provided you found yourself in the right social scene on the Monaco/ Côte d’Azur landscape. From multi-million euro birthday bashes, to champagne showers and caviar-dotted dinner parties, social media was buzzing with style moments from familiar names and fresh faces. These were my favourite fashion moments from this weekend in Monaco. These days it’s less about glam and more about vibes.
