In April 1981 , the NASA crew at the Kennedy Space Center was hard at work preparing for STS-1 , the first orbital flight of the space birdie program . mass have to eat , even when they ’re attain history , so members of the launch bunch impart in food from home to share during long hour of pre - flight trial and other preparations .
On the solar day of the launch , examination director Norm Carlson bestow in his donation to the potluck : cornbread and a lowly crock heap of edible bean . After a successful lift off , the squad celebrated and dig in to the food . Carlson ’s beans were a hit and disappeared quickly . For the next shuttle launch later that year , Carlson repeat his formula and brought in two pots of edible bean . The magnanimous mess was again eaten in no time . He kept bringing in more and more beans and more and more crock pots for each flight , until it got to be too much keeping up with his athirst squad .
“ Finally , sensing that it was getting too difficult to bring in enough earthenware jar potbelly to feed everyone , Mr. Carlson switch to an 18 - quart cooker , and set up workshop on the fourth base of the LCC [ set up control center ] , just above the firing elbow room , ” pronounce theKSC website . “ The call ‘ Beans are Go ! ’ came to sign that the shuttle had successfully set in motion , and it was time to slacken and unwind . ”
When Carlson retired , his bean - cooking duties were turned over to the centre ’s intellectual nourishment service contractor , which prepared twelve 18 - dry quart cookers for every launch until the shuttle program ended in 2011 .
Want to eat like a arugula scientist ? Here’sCarlson ’s recipe , fromSpaceport News , NASA ’s newssheet for KSC employees .
“ Successful Launch Beans”Courtesy of Norm Carlson , former NASA Test Director Chief
Put 6 lb . of driedgreat northerly beansin an 18 - quart galvanising cooker .
Cut 10 lbs . ofsmoked haminto square block .
Add ham and ham bones to bean .
Add 1⁄2 shaker oflemon pepper .
Add 3 lbs . choppedonions .
Add 2 straw choppedcelery .
Add 1 tsp.liquid Mary Jane .
Cover with water system and cook for at least 8 hours .
Enjoy !
“ Famous Launch Day Cornbread ”
Martha White Self - rise Corn Muffin Mix
