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Doritos New Safe-For-Outer-Space Chips Set For Blast Off: Here’s How To Get Your Own

Aug 20, 2024

Cool Ranch Zero Gravity Doritos have been specially prepared to fly on the Polaris Dawn commercial space mission. The public can get special canisters of the safe-for-space mini chips by donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (Image credit: PepsiCo/Polaris Dawn/collectSPACE.com)

Doritos is launching a new limited-edition flavor with an out-of-this-world mission to make space history while supporting an important cause.

For nearly 60 years, the flavored corn chips has been enjoyed on Earth, but have been banned from outer space given the threat that Doritos “dust” and crumbs pose to spacecraft systems. Now, the food scientists at FritoLay (PepsiCo) have figured out how to make Doritos safe for microgravity and are ready to blast off.

Cool Ranch Zero Gravity Doritos swaps out the chips’ classic powdered topping for an oil-based coating that keeps the flavor from floating away. Further, they are “Minis,” a bite-size version of the full-size chips, which reduces the chance of any bits and pieces escaping.

NASA and other space agencies have employed similar techniques to make foods safe for spaceflight, though not with a snack chip. Before adopting flour tortillas as a substitute for bread, for example, NASA nutritionists prepared bite-size bread cubes for early astronauts to consume. Even today, the crews on the International Space Station use pepper oil and salt water, rather than their dry counterparts, to add flavor to their meals.

“The limitless possibilities of space inspired us to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Chris Bellinger, chief creative officer of PepsiCo Foods North America, in a statement. “This mission is a testament to our commitment to delivering bold experiences and flavors, even in the most unexpected places.”

four people in blue flight suits hold blue paper cylinders up for a portrait — Polaris Dawn crew members with Doritos Cool Ranch Zero Gravity canisters. From left to right: commander Jared Isaacman, mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon and pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet. (Image credit: PepsiCo)

Packaged in tins that were also approved for flight, Cool Ranch Zero Gravity Doritos are ready for lift off on Polaris Dawn, a commercial mission on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that will see four private astronauts become the first people to eat Doritos in space (as well reach an altitude above Earth not achieved by a human spaceflight in more than 50 years and perform the first ever commercial spacewalk).

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This article originally appeared here and was republished with permission.