Shianna Smart, co-owner of Trails End Buffalo Stix in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, initially doubted the legitimacy of an email she received from NASA. However, after engaging with NASA representatives, she was thrilled to learn that Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk had chosen their bison jerky for 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 also enjoyed the Saskatchewan bison jerky sticks during his time in orbit. Smart expressed her excitement at being selected again for space travel, stating that she never expected the opportunity to arise a second time.
Smart hopes that the bison jerky’s journey to space will highlight its suitability for various occasions such as children’s lunches, sports activities, and travel. The jerky underwent a rigorous selection process by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA before being approved for space travel.
According to Natalie Hirsch from the Canadian Space Agency, astronauts have the flexibility to personalize a portion of their food supplies, with NASA providing the majority of the food and CSA offering Canadian options. Meeting astronauts’ preferences and ensuring a shelf life of 18 months, space-compatible packaging, and crumb-free products are essential requirements for space-bound food items.
Local support plays a vital role in the success of small businesses like Trails End Buffalo Stix, as highlighted by Nolan Langer, assistant plant manager at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre. Langer emphasized the importance of local support for businesses like theirs, emphasizing the unique capabilities of their facility in processing products for small clients in western Canada.
Canadian products destined for space include a variety of items such as maple syrup from Ontario and Quebec and salmon from the west coast.