On April 9, 1959, NASA introduced America’s first astronauts: Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra Jr., Alan Shepard Jr., and Donald Slayton. The seven men, all military test pilots, were carefully selected to take part in Project Mercury, America’s first manned space program.
Naturally, the Rocket was the favorite Food Truck around Cape Canaveral. After a day of strenuous activity, these seven guys would often kick back with bags of Sliders. Gordo Cooper had a thing for hot stuff and we accepted the personal challenge of satisfying his notorious cravings for spice. In fact, Gordo smuggled a few Hot Ones on board when he piloted the longest and final Mercury spaceflight in 1963.

*Little known fact: Five of the seven astronauts listed Root Beer as their favorite Yacht Club Soda.