Space Food

Japanese Space Food Certification

Every applicant should first conduct the required inspections and tests of a proposed product (or proposed products). Applicant should send application documents for certification to the secretariat for Japanese space foods at the JAXA, including all the results of the inspections and tests.

Certification Standard and Application Procedure

The Japanese space food certification standard stipulates the requirements for certification, related process and application procedure for Japanese space foods JAXA plans to deliver to long-stay ISS crew.

Processes of Procurement and Transportation

The Japanese space food procurement and transportation standard stipulates the requirements and processes about JAXA’s procurement of space foods from certified manufacturers for delivery to long-stay ISS crew.

Utilization of JAXA-designated Packages (pouches with or without spout)

Certified manufacturers who use JAXA-specified packages for their Japanese space food(s) in the manufacturing process should inform the secretariat for Japanese space foods of the required types of package and the numbers of packages. Two types of packages are prepared: retort pouch and pouch for hydration cooking. The retort pouch is subdivided into two types: flat bag (R5) and stand-alone pouch (R6). The pouch for hydration cooking is subdivided into two types: pouch with spout (W2) and pouch without spout (W1). Pouches for hydration cooking must be packed into an external package (S1/S2).

Use of Logos

Manufacturers who have acquired a certification for their product are entitled to use the "Japanese space foods" logos on their web pages, descriptive documents for company presentation and packages of their certified product(s). Two logos have been designed: "certified food" logo and "flight-like food" logo.

"Certified Food" logo

"Flight-like Food" logo

Contact with the Secretariat

For inquiries and questions, send e-mail to the e-mail address of the Secretariat for Japanese space foods indicated below. Application documents and product samples should be sent to the postal address indicated below.

Note that questions or inquiries from free mail addresses are not accepted.

Secretariat for Japanese space foods

Astronaut and Operation Control Unit
Tsukuba Space Center,
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Postal code: 305-8505
2-1-1, Sengen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

E-mail:

Related link

JAXA Digital Archives / page for Japanese space foods:

(Images below are provided by JAXA.)