You probably associate stainless steel with kitchens, hospitals, or the back of a restaurant, not the big screen. But take a closer look at some of the most iconic sci-fi films of the last 50 years, and you’ll notice something: stainless steel is everywhere.
In Alien (1979), the crew of the Nostromo eats and operates in an environment that feels functional and industrial. That’s because it was, real stainless steel counters and trays were used on set to ground the sci-fi in something that felt lived-in. Prometheus and The Martian followed suit, using medical-grade stainless in lab scenes and food prep areas to mirror real-world NASA cleanrooms and habitats.
It’s not just about looks (though the clean, reflective surface doesn’t hurt). Stainless steel is durable, easy to clean, and helps create that polished, high-tech aesthetic directors love.
While most homes aren’t spaceships, there’s a reason stainless has crossed over from film sets into real kitchens. It’s built to last, easy to live with, and, whether you’re preparing dinner or saving Mars, just quietly gets on with the job.
Stainless steel: because even if your soufflé collapses, at least your stainless steel worktop still looks like it belongs on the International Space Station.
For more space stories on our website have a look at these past articles:
John Glenn's Stainless Steel Balloon Tank Wonder
Could we 3D print 17-4 Stainless Steel on Mars?
what has the moon, stainless steel and Jeff Koons got in common?