MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Russian researchers at an institute preparing food for space mission travels have rated burgers an appetizing idea for the cosmic menu.

But a top nutritional expert elsewhere reckons the idea - proposed by fast-food giant Burger King, according to Russian media - is not so tasty.

Burgers will make space rations more varied, the Special Food Technology Institute's Lyudmila Pavlova told TASS.

"Cosmonauts eat sublimated food, which is dehydrated in a special way," Pavlova said. "We think this proposal is possible if it is really tasty and if cosmonauts like it."

Alexander Agureyev, heading the International Space Station food department at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems, finds the idea less to his taste, however.

"This fast food is not typical for Russia," he said. "And this is not the first proposal to include these or those products on the space menu. We receive such offers regularly - a good promotion for the producers."

Research and microbiological studies were needed before decisions were made, he said.