In the 1970s, the space food equipped in the spacecraft reached a "well-off level". In the American Apollo 7, 8 and 9 flights, Gemini's space food was still used. Astronauts are very dissatisfied with these foods. They often bring food in excess, and the health level of astronauts is also declining. Therefore, space food has to be improved. After Apollo 10, food has been greatly improved, mainly by improving the packaging and increasing the variety of food. For example, a water inlet is added to the packaging of rehydrated food, and the heated water can be eaten with a spoon; Added canned food; In addition to various staple foods, there are fruit cakes, snacks, jellies, dried peaches, dried apricots, dried pears and so on. The flight time of "Sky Lab" is 28-84 days, and the food standard in the spacecraft has been further improved: astronauts have adopted a six-day standard diet, and food packaging has also been comprehensively improved. Pack food in a full-cover aluminum can with plastic film, which can be heated by adding water; A miniature "space kitchen" has been established in the laboratory, which contains food storage equipment, food manufacturing equipment and astronaut dining equipment; The varieties and types of space food have greatly increased, and 80 kinds of food and drinks have been listed on the astronaut's menu.

After the 1980s, the United States mainly launched the space shuttle, with 6-7 astronauts flying for 7-30 days at a time. The space food on the space shuttle has been greatly improved, reaching the "satisfactory degree" of astronauts, and a more suitable "space kitchen" has been installed on the space shuttle. The space kitchen on the space shuttle is actually a multifunctional food processing and storage cabinet. There are food storage boxes, condiment storage boxes, heaters, water separators, tableware boxes, hygiene products boxes and waste boxes in the lockers. In addition, there are folding tables specially designed for preparing food. Astronauts eat according to the menu during the flight, and the food on the menu is guaranteed not to be repeated for one week. Astronauts can order according to their hobbies. Besides, there are snacks and snacks every day.

The food on the space station can be divided into three categories: daily menu food, emergency food and extravehicular activity food. Food is the same as the ground, including frozen food, frozen food and normal temperature food. Emergency food supply is food prepared when a serious accident occurs in the space station or it cannot be supplied for some reason. It has been stored for 45 days. Extravehicular activity food is the food and water used by astronauts in extravehicular activities, which can ensure the amount of extravehicular activity of astronauts for 8 hours. Astronauts can choose their favorite food six months before launch, and space food experts will make recipes for them. All food is put in a "micro-pressure logistics cabin" and moved to the living cabin after launch. The space shuttle and transport ship also brought them fresh fruits and food. The food in the International Space Station is rich enough to open a "space restaurant".