Gian Luca Rana participates in the 'Italian Food in Space' project with a gourmet and balanced food programme, developed in its research and development centre 'Casa Innovazione Rana', especially for the crew of the Ax-3 space mission.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies and the Italian Air Force, the Rana Group participated in the crew's preparation period for the space mission, under the leadership of Colonel Walter Villadei. During quarantine, the Rana team of chefs prepared daily dishes with high quality ingredients from all over Italy, combining the skills of its researchers and food technologists with the experience of the 1 Michelin star 'Famiglia Rana' restaurant.
Gian Luca Rana and the Rana Group are actively involved in the 'Italian Food in Space' project together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, in collaboration with the Italian Air Force, to support the candidature of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This project is part of Italy's commitment to Axiom Space's Ax-3 mission. The launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in January 2024 brought Air Force Colonel Walter Villadei to the International Space Station, along with three other astronauts.
 

The Rana Group, thanks to the technological innovation of its R&D centre - founded by Gian Luca Rana, CEO of the Rana Group for over 35 years - and its deep knowledge of Italian gastronomic culture, was chosen to prepare meals for the crew of the Ax-3 space mission. During the training period, the team created a menu that blends tradition and innovation, offering the astronauts an extraordinary culinary experience.

The Rana Group was thrilled to participate in the 'Italian Food in Space' project, which continues its mission to spread gastronomic excellence and the Italian experience around the world. Gian Luca Rana highlights  the importance of public-private collaboration to enhance and promote Italian cuisine globally.

The aim of the project was to create a gourmet and nutritionally balanced food plan, using top-quality ingredients from all over Italy. Rana's chefs prepared meals for the crew during the training period, a crucial phase for the success of the mission, where food plays a fundamental role in the astronauts' physical and mental wellbeing.
Colonel Walter Villadei emphasized the importance of offering astronauts an Italian diet during training, as part of a broader strategy to meet the challenges of space. This project represents a significant step towards enhancing Italian cuisine and its potential in space exploration.
The Rana Group is proud to contribute to this initiative, collaborating with public institutions to promote Italy's gastronomic, cultural and scientific heritage.