When astronomy meets food: How analogue astronaut Kristine Jane Atienza is pioneering nutrition in space

“I’ve been interested in astronomy since I can remember,” Atienza says, recalling her early years spent gazing at the night sky. 

Her original dream was to become an astronomer, not an astronaut.

Fast forward a few years and that dream led her to pursue a degree in applied physics. But like many of us, she faced a tough reality check—self-doubt. “I didn’t believe I was good enough for physics or astronomy,” she admits, her tone tinged with the vulnerability accompanying big life decisions. So, she shifted her career path and became a nutritionist, yet her love for space never fully left her orbit.

“Nutrition was very far from astronomy and space, so I thought it was a hindrance from what I really wanted. Later on, I realised it became my strength,” she says.

While spending most of her time in nutrition, Atienza stayed active in the space communities, refusing to let either passion fizzle out. She soon realised that perhaps her two worlds didn’t need to be so far apart. “I was able to do both things at the same time—astronomy and nutrition,” she says, recalling her eventual shift toward space nutrition.

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What exactly does a space nutritionist do? It’s a niche field, even internationally, and is gaining traction as long-duration space missions become a reality. According to Atienza, it’s all about studying how the human body reacts to different foods in space, and how astronauts’ diets can be optimised physically and mentally during these missions.

Atienza’s expertise as a nutritionist gave her a unique edge in the space community. “It became a gateway for me to do space nutrition,” she says, underscoring how her background has ultimately allowed her to contribute to research crucial for the future of space travel.

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Despite the glitz of working in space research, Atienza is candid about the struggles she faces. “I feel like my European or American peers have better opportunities than me, especially with space nutrition,” she admits.

The Philippines’ space agency is still relatively young and opportunities can feel scarce, but instead of wallowing in these challenges, she’s taken them as fuel. “At the end of the day, I just do what I love. I volunteer wherever I can to create my own opportunities,” she says.

Before becoming a participant in analogue missions, which are field tests in locations that have physical similarities to the extreme space environments, Atienza worked on the periphery—analysing data from participating crew members. Her curiosity eventually drove her to take the plunge. “I decided to apply as a crew member, just to feel how they feel during a mission,” she says. What started as an experiment to improve her research blossomed into a full-fledged passion for the missions themselves.

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Atienza made history by participating in the Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (Hi-Seas), a mission designed to simulate life on Mars.

During her six-day mission, held on the slopes of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa—Earth’s largest active volcano by both mass and volume—Atienza played the roles of nutrition specialist and medical officer. She was responsible for ensuring the health of her crew and overseeing sustainable food resource management, an essential aspect of space exploration.

The experience highlighted the challenges of isolation, resource scarcity and the importance of innovative solutions in space environments.

The leap from researcher to analogue astronaut not only enriched her studies, it also awakened something else in her. “After my mission, I felt a responsibility,” she says. “I wanted to tell Filipinos that they, too, can participate in space exploration. We’re not just spectators.”

Atienza’s mission is no longer just about advancing her studies; it’s about inspiring others, especially Filipinos, to look beyond the stars and see their potential as future space explorers.

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