Chinese to Launch Takeout Food Service in Space
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BEIJING — China is about to launch a manned, food service module atop a LongMarch 2 rocket. It will thus become the first spacefaring country to offer Chinese takeout in space.
The food service module is affectionately dubbed 'Dragon's Delight,' and will offer a full menu of Chinese takeout for astronauts from other nations who have had to make do with reprocessed green peas and squeeze-tube ham.
"We will be moving our delivery service beyond bicycle range, out to the Moon, Mars, and the stars beyond," said Xiao Cho Fat, Minister of Space Food Services at the Jiuquan Space Center.
"We have trained our astronauts in both navigation and food warming techniques so the product we deliver will be just like home for those boys in space." he said. "We'll even have fortune cookies. Getting a fortune cookie that says you're not going to burn up on re-entry is a great picker-upper."
"We will accept MasterCard and Visa, but we will not be taking American Express, so sorry."
American interest in the Chinese launch is mixed. Some US analysts see China's manned space activity as a 'Trojan Horse' within which they can conceal their military space activities. Others are envious of the Chinese taking the lead in food service in space.
"We were planning to put a McDonald's up soon," said one NASA source, "but the shuttle thing kind of set us back."
Mike Pasternack
