Jack 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: 620 From: Louisville CO US Registered: Aug 2003
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: 56328 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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: 56328 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 56328 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2026 01:01 PM
M&M's sighted aboard Artemis II — they have flown to the moon!
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman (at bottom left) is seen opening a pack of "candy-coated chocolates" and then tossing them at mission specialist Jeremy Hansen to catch in his mouth, Pac-Man style. Mission specialist Christina Koch then floats into view.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3299 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 04-10-2026 06:46 AM
I am surprised Jeremy is not flying a box of Smarties.
Philip Member
Posts: 6385 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 04-10-2026 09:51 AM
What about the M&Ms sweets space-flown/released by Mike Melvill on SpaceShipOne in June 2004?
posted 03-29-2022 10:40 AM
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