NASA Tradition: BEANS ARE GO

History of the Tradition Fortune

NASA has a long-standing tradition of serving beans and cornbread after successful rocket launches. This started in 1981 when test director Norm Carlson brought in a crockpot of beans to feed his team after the first Space Shuttle launch. The beans were a big hit, so he kept bringing in more and more beans for subsequent launches until the Kennedy Space Center food services took over.

Now, NASA prepares 50-60 gallons of beans in anticipation of a successful launch. The beans take about 8 hours to cook, so they are started early in the day before a planned launch. The call “Beans are go!” signals a successful liftoff. Engineers, technicians, and support staff then gather to celebrate with heaping bowls of Carlson’s beans and cornbread.

The reasons behind the bean tradition include:

• Beans give everyone the chance to “fire their engines” or expel gas, which is amusing to the launch teams
• Beans are a hearty, comforting food perfect for celebrating
• The tradition boosts morale and gives launch teams something to look forward to

Beans are a lighthearted NASA tradition that brings launch teams together, boosts morale, and gives engineers something tasty to anticipate after tense hours supporting rocket launches. The bean tradition seems poised to continue fueling successful launches for years to come.

Recipe for Successful Launch Beans

Here is the recipe for Norm Carlson’s famous “Successful Launch Beans” that are traditionally served at NASA after rocket launches:

Ingredients:

• 6 pounds dried great northern beans
• 10 pounds smoked ham, cubed
• Ham bones
• 1⁄2 shaker lemon pepper
• 3 pounds chopped onions
• 2 stalks chopped celery
• 1 tsp liquid smoke

Instructions:

1. Put 6 pounds of dried great northern beans in an 18-quart electric cooker.
2. Cut 10 pounds of smoked ham into cubes. Add ham and ham bones to beans.
3. Add 1⁄2 shaker of lemon pepper.
4. Add 3 pounds chopped onions.
5. Add 2 stalks chopped celery.
6. Add 1 tsp liquid smoke.
7. Cover with water and cook for at least 8 hours.

The beans are often served with Martha White Self-Rising Corn Muffin mix made according to package instructions.

This hearty bean recipe from original NASA test director Norm Carlson has fueled many successful rocket launch celebrations over the past 40+ years!