Shianna Smart, the co-owner of Trails End Buffalo Stix located in Gull Lake, southwestern Saskatchewan, initially doubted the legitimacy of an email she received from NASA. However, after engaging with them and obtaining more details, she found it to be an exciting opportunity. Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk has chosen the bison jerky from Trails End Buffalo Stix for consumption during the upcoming NASA-SpaceX mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for October 1 pending final approval.
Previously, in 2013, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield had enjoyed the Saskatchewan bison jerky sticks in space when the business was under different ownership. Smart expressed her surprise and excitement at being selected again for space travel.
Smart aspires for the space-bound jerky to demonstrate its versatility for various purposes beyond space missions, such as being ideal for kids’ lunches, sports activities, and travel. The jerky underwent a rigorous selection process by the CSA and NASA before being approved for space travel.
Natalie Hirsch, overseeing operational space medicine at the Canadian Space Agency, mentioned that while NASA provides most of the food for astronauts, they have the flexibility to customize the remaining portion, with the CSA offering Canadian options based on astronauts’ preferences.
Key requirements for space food include an 18-month shelf life, space-friendly packaging, and minimal crumbs. Nolan Langer, the assistant plant manager at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, highlighted the importance of local support for small businesses like Trails End Buffalo Stix, emphasizing the critical role of the facility in producing jerky for nearly two decades.
Canadian products sent to space include maple syrup from Ontario and Quebec and salmon from the west coast, showcasing the variety of Canadian offerings reaching beyond Earth’s boundaries.
