During the departure of the Ax-3 mission from the International Space Station (ISS), a heartwarming moment occurred as the crew bid farewell to their fellow astronauts by leaving behind a surprise treat: peanut butter. Ax-3 commander Michael López-Alegría shared this delightful news with the Expedition 70 astronauts, mentioning that there was peanut butter waiting for them in the airlock entrance.
While the full menu for Ax-3 remains undisclosed, peanut butter has been a beloved choice among astronauts for its taste and nutritional benefits. Interestingly, the Ax-3 crew had the unique opportunity to celebrate National Peanut Butter Day while in space, adding a touch of festivity to their mission.
Organized by Axiom Space, Ax-3 represents the third crewed mission to the ISS facilitated by the Houston-based company. Axiom typically selects commercial off-the-shelf food products that are suitable for the space environment, ensuring that astronauts have nourishing and enjoyable meals during their missions.
Peanuts have a longstanding history in space exploration, with NASA astronauts enjoying peanut cubes as early as the Gemini program in the 1960s. Peanut butter, a favorite among astronauts, has been a staple in space missions since the early days of NASA.
Today, peanut butter continues to be a cherished component of space cuisine, offering astronauts a taste of home and adding a sense of comfort during their time aboard the ISS. The gesture of leaving behind a peanut butter surprise highlights the camaraderie and thoughtfulness among astronauts, even amidst the challenges of space travel.
