Explore Outer Space with Tang

A clever promotional piece by the makers of TANG.

This stylized depiction of our solar system was issued in late 1983 by TANG Brand Instant Beverage Drink. A colorful depiction of all nine planets, plus the Sun and several other extraterrestrial features, is accompanied by a brief caption and relevant statistics. The verso offers a brief history of America’s space program up to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Challenger in June, 1983 (which featured the first woman in space, Sally Ride).

TANG was first associated with astronauts during the 1962 Mercury Program, when it was introduced as a way to make the metallic-tasting water more palatable for John Glenn. The success of the mission and Glenn’s positive review offered a windfall for the marketing team, which leaned heavily into the relationship in the following decades.