Further Adventures In 3-D Food Printing: Pizza In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

It was recently reported that a techno-savvy British couple had used 3-D printing technology to create edible sugar statues for use as cake and pastry decorations. Now NASA has funded development of a 3-D printer that would print an oven fresh pizza, even in zero-gravity outer space. Starting with powders, the printer prints a layer of dough (starches) that begins baking immediately, thanks to a hot plate. Inkjets then spray on a tomato base (in powdered form), then oils, water, and protein from dairy, meat or vegetables. The pizza, and possibly other foods, would need to retain nutritional content on long space flights. It should also taste good, NASA says, or astronauts won't eat enough to sustain themselves.