I don't understand this flexibility - either God said "You have to do things this way" or he didn't. Being in space should not be an excuse to ignore what are supposedly ineffable, supernatural laws. If god says that you need to perform some ritual, or observe somke arbitary rule, and you can't do that in space, then obviously god doesn't want you going into space.

If I find myself in McDonald's and I am hungry, can I eat just enough non-halal food to ward off hunger>>>>

Well...if you would have some more insight on Islam, you'd know that things are not as strict as you think. Flexibity and 'doing the best you can' are major aspects.

For instance, fasting is not obligatory on children, elderly, menstruating women, pregnanent women or the sick.

Also this religion is about using your brain....if you think that u can eat enough non-halal food as Mcdonals to ward off hunger...then clearly you have missed the point. What is meant is...that is there is NO OTHER FOOD and you are in dire need...you can eat just enough non-halal food to satisfy the hunger, but to satisfy you appetite. This is only in emergency type circumstances and if you're AT a McDonals and dying of hunder...you can always find something which is halal and better for your health to fill your stomach....fries for one.

I though this was kind of a straight forward issue.

Besides I found out...non-halaal food is forbidden for a reason...for example in meat, non halaal meat is not allowed because of the way the animal is slaughtered, not allowing ALL the blood to drain properly. It's been found out recently that this blood in meat, by people eating it, has caused major health problems for people. It was on a news program once. It didn't say anything about halal, it was just reporting.