If you ever wanted to be an astronaut, but the thought of eating food that miraculously appeared from powder creeped you out, this might be the thing that changes your mind.

By now you have heard of the amazing tech development known as the 3D printer, until now, we have seen the gadget print out usable products from toys to…guns, but NASA is taking it up a notch.

They are reportedly developing their own kind of 3D printer, the kind that can print food, “nutritious and flavourful” food! According to the agency the food they receive on missions is “not adequate in nutrition or acceptability through the five-year shelf life required for a mission to Mars, or other long duration missions.”

Now astronauts will be able to get all the nutrients they need, and with their individual preference. Look at the diagram below on how a pizza would be printed with a 3D printer. Imagine getting that cheesy goodness while you float around the International Space Station?

This future means of space eating does not only provide the great astronauts with awesome food, it also makes the barrier between Earth and space smaller. For example, now if it is your birthday, your significant other can send you a custom made pizza or gift, just like they would if you were with them on Earth.

The engineer who came up with the idea, goes as far to say that this technology of food printing, could even “help the fight against hunger.” Well, we will just have to wait and see.

Till then, you can get your delicious pizza fix from Butler’s, Cape Town No1 Pizza

[Source: Washington Post]