KIKU Apples Sent to Space Station

KIKU brand apples made their space debut, rocketing from Cape Canaveral via Washington State to the crew of the International Space Station. A package of hand-picked KIKU apples were sent on an unmanned SpaceX cargo flight to provide a nutritious treat for astronauts living aboard the station.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule blasted off from Cape Canaveral on April 8 at 4:43 p.m. (EST). The Dragon reached orbit and SpaceX successfully landed the Falcon 9's first stage on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean—a crucial milestone for SpaceX, as it shows the company can land its rockets both on solid ground and ocean. The flight is being conducted under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. 

“The growers of KIKU apples were delighted to provide KIKU to the crew of the Space Station,” says Bob Mast, president of CMI. “With sweetness levels that are out of this world, it is only fitting that KIKU apples would reach for the stars."

According to Mast, the food system manager at the Johnson Space Center, Vickie Kloeris, sought out KIKU apples for the resupply mission. “We think it’s a perfect fit,” says Mast. “NASA wants to work directly with growers to secure the freshest, sweetest fruit imaginable for the space crew and KIKU apples fit that description to a tee.

“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the flight team on this mission, and congratulate SpaceX for their successful landing of the Falcon 9 today. It is a momentous day in the history of space travel,” adds Mast.