Space Age Technology Makes Tastier Thanksgiving Ham

From SPACE.com:

The "Muppet Show" gave us pigs in space, but the latest Space Age technology is finding a meatier application here on Earth that may find its way to your Thanksgiving dinner table. The technology originally measured fluid shifts inside astronauts hamming it up in space. Now the European Space Agency (ESA) and two companies have adopted the tool to help ensure the quality of a world-famous Spanish cured ham. "The application was proposed by NTE, the engineering company that adapted the technology," said Jennifer Knoblach, a representative of ESA's Technology Transfer Programme Office. The new ham-scanning gear won't affect Thanksgiving plans for the 10 astronauts currently flying in space aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station. They're planning to celebrate Thursday's U.S. holiday tonight, one day early, with a traditional dinner of pre-packaged turkey, cornbread dressing, green beans, cranberry-apple desert and other space foods as a full crew, shuttle commander Chris Ferguson said. Prized "Jamon" ham represents a matter of culinary pride for Spain, and so only the highest quality hams get the label. Experts carefully examine hams to determine by look, touch and smell whether a ham is too wet, too dry or just right. However, the main factor for creating the perfect ham is the amount of water in the meat. Even the most experienced inspectors may find it difficult to determine a ham's water quality.

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