In a historic moment for both space exploration and marketing, the Polaris Dawn mission crew recently filmed the first advertisement featuring snacks in space. The ad, released by Doritos on October 21, showcases astronauts enjoying the brand's first-ever chips designed for microgravity, named 'Zero Gravity Cool Ranch'.
The Polaris Dawn crew, consisting of Jared Isaacman, Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon, recorded the commercial aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule during their five-day mission last month. The initiative aims to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
During the mission, Menon noted that the chips were individually wrapped and packaged in canisters to withstand the rigors of space travel. This marked a significant departure from previous space food restrictions, as traditional chips posed hazards due to their crumbly nature. The new Doritos were engineered with oil-based flavoring to minimize mess.
Frito-Lay's innovative approach allowed the chips to maintain their integrity during the mission, providing astronauts with a taste of home while contributing to a charitable cause. The promotional effort raised over $585,000, with Frito-Lay contributing an initial $500,000.
Menon expressed gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the snacks in space, highlighting the importance of blending technological advancements with social responsibility in modern space missions.