Tang and the Space Myth: What NASA Didn’t Invent

Tang and the Space Myth: What NASA Didn’t Invent

When people think of space food, one product often floats to the top: Tang. The powdered orange drink mix has been closely associated with astronauts and space missions since the 1960s, leading many to believe that it was created by NASA for spaceflight.

This belief is so widespread that "Tang" has become cultural shorthand for "space food." But here’s the truth: Tang was not invented by NASA, nor was it developed specifically for space missions. It existed long before astronauts ever sipped it in orbit.

The Myth: Tang Was Invented by NASA for Astronauts

The myth goes like this: faced with the challenges of feeding astronauts in zero gravity, NASA’s scientists developed Tang as a convenient, nutritious, shelf-stable beverage that could easily be consumed in space. As the story goes, Tang was a product of the brilliant minds behind America’s space program—just another example of how space exploration gave rise to everyday innovations.

This version of the story is both romantic and patriotic. It suggests that Tang, like Velcro and Teflon, is part of the technological legacy of the Space Race. But while Tang did make it to space, it was not created by NASA, and its connection to spaceflight came only after it had already been on store shelves.

The Truth: A General Foods Product from the 1950s

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