This Was The Very First Candy To Ever Go To Space — And It Quickly Became A NASA Astronaut Favorite

There’s a lot that goes into sending people to outer space, including stocking up on space-friendly food. What astronauts eat and drink is regimented and requires some science on NASA’s part, including inventing a space cup for drinking in zero gravity.

Food options are more limited in space, but that does not mean astronauts have to miss out on sweet treats. A lot of space desserts have to be dehydrated ahead of time before liftoff — think freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches — but back in 1981, candy was added to the list of snack options when M&M’s were taken into space aboard the space shuttle Columbia. The candy’s small size and self-containing candy coating made it an ideal choice for eating in space; as such, M&M’s continued to be a staple for astronauts up until the final space shuttle launch in 2011.

M&M’s became such a popular option among astronauts that the company even made special-edition candies decorated in honor of the last space shuttle, the Atlantis, including images of the shuttle, the date of the launch, and the phrase “3, 2, 1,… Lift Off!” Even though NASA only ever referred to the candies as “candy coated chocolates” to avoid using brand names, it was still a major honor for the little candy stamped with a tiny “M.” Together, NASA and M&M’s contributed to each others’ legacy and kept astronauts happy in the process.

Astronaut food has come a long way since the first meal on the moon, and that includes desserts. M&M’s set a new precedent for dessert options for astronauts, eventually leading to other candies going to space as well. Overall, chocolate candies tend to be the most popular. The change in gravity typically impacts astronauts’ sense of taste, and while many foods seem to lose their flavor in space, chocolate evidently still packs a punch.

Many big chocolate companies have had the honor of going into outer space. Although NASA avoids officially endorsing any brands or confirming which ones have been on shuttles, candies like Toblerone, Dove, Ghirardelli, Kit Kat, Snickers, Reese’s, Twix, and Milky Way have all gone to space. Each of these candies can offer astronauts a nice sugar boost while working hard in space.

While chocolate is the most popular option, non-chocolate candies have also gone to outer space. Other candies consumed in space include Sweet Tarts, Starbursts, and Mentos. Even candy corn has made it onto space shuttles before.