Astronauts brush their teeth just like they do on Earth. There is no shower on the Shuttle, so astronauts must make do with sponge baths until they return home. Each Space Shuttle has a toilet that can be used by both men and women. Top of Page Eating on the Space Shuttle Eating in Space As more experience in spaceflight is gained, food systems for space travelers will continue to improve. New foods are being developed and evaluated along with new commercial foods as candidates for the Shuttle food system.
Astronauts Eat in orbit.
The first person to eat in space was, of course, the first person to travel there. USSR cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin ate and drank during his one orbit of Earth in the capsule Vostok 1 in 1961. But the food was tasteless and eating through a tube often left astronauts feeling unsatisfied. To meet the nutritional needs of Shuttle crews, a new food system centers around a galley that has been installed on the mid-deck of the Orbiter's cabin. The Space Shuttle menu currently features more than 70 food items and 20 beverages.