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Author
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Topic: Candy-coated chocolates (M&M's) in space
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56474
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-29-2022 10:40 AM
   
collectSPACE When did M&M's first fly in space? Setting the sweet record correctJack Lousma doesn't remember having M&M's while in space. As a NASA astronaut, Lousma was in command of NASA's third space shuttle mission 40 years ago this week. Together with pilot Gordon Fullerton, Lousma put the reusable orbiter Columbia through its paces, continuing to test and prove the vehicle in Earth orbit.  |
kyra
Member Posts: 621
From: Louisville CO US
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 03-29-2022 01:37 PM
Robert, did your data come from "Space Shuttle Food-System Summary NASA Technical Memorandum 100 469"? I've checked through the 62 or so STS-4 inflight interior photos for more M&M evidence and nothing is there, so comments from RADM Mattingly's memories is probably the last chance the first consumer of M&M's in space will ever be confirmed. That is unless the remaining STS-4 interior photos at NARA confirm anything. As for the M&M's they were obviously given a blanket approval after testing for Shuttle missions in the years running up to STS-1, so they could claim the first US candies approved for spaceflight. When did Life-Savers start flying? I know I have seen rolls velcroed to instrument panels. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56474
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-29-2022 03:00 PM
Yes, that was the source of the data shown in the charts. I tried contacting Mattingly, but didn't hear back in time for the article. If still hope I can connect with him and will post an update here, if I do. STS-4 only ate one of their four packages in the pantry. Hank Hartsfield later (on STS-41D) became one of the first astronauts to request M&M's on his menu, so I wonder if that points to him being the fan of the candies on the STS-4 crew. I also wonder what became of the uneaten packages returned on STS-3 and STS-4. I asked Mars if they had any flown packages but their internal historians were unaware of any. The National Air and Space Museum's earliest package dates to 1985. My earliest example is a training package from STS-7. Are there earlier examples out there? quote:
Originally posted by kyra:
When did Life-Savers start flying?
Life-Savers began flying on STS-1, but were categorized by NASA as condiments rather than food items. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56474
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-31-2022 12:50 PM
For those curious or inclined to collect such, in addition to the keychains mentioned in the article, the M&M's Store at Disney Springs (Orlando, Florida) had several other "First Candy in Space, 1981" products in stock when it opened earlier this year. They included, as pictured: a candy dish, a mug, children's size t-shirts and two different style magnets (matching the keychains). A recent visit to the store showed that only the keychains remain available.  |
Philip
Member Posts: 6389
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-10-2026 09:51 AM
What about the M&Ms sweets space-flown/released by Mike Melvill on SpaceShipOne in June 2004? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56474
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-03-2026 05:32 PM
collectSPACE M&M's candies can now add the moon to its storied space historyThe self-labeled "first candy in space" has made it to the moon. M&M's, made by Mars, Inc., is now known to have been on board NASA's first mission to fly astronauts by the moon in more than 50 years. What's more, it was also the first food the Artemis II crew members had upon their return to Earth.  |
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