CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Sally Ride and her four male crewmates aboard the shuttle Challenger today munched on jelly beans provided by President Reagan and clowned for TV cameras by catching the colored beans in their mouths as they floated in space.
'The crew of flight seven had an opportunity to visit the President, who supplied us with one of his favorite candies -- some jelly beans straight from the White House we've been enjoying up here,' said commander Robert Crippen.
Co-pilot Frederick Hauck displayed several of the red, yellow, black and white sugar treats floating from a plastic zip-lock bag labeled: 'Compliments of the White House.'
Hauck tossed individual beans to a smiling Ms. Ride and John Fabian, who caught them in their mouths and chewed themup. Hauck also caught one as it floated through the weightlessness of space.
'There's a picture of Captain Hauck making a famous grab,' Crippen said.
'The Astros could have used him last night,' joked mission controller Jon McBride, referring to the Houston Astros' loss to the Atlanta Braves Monday night.
'It's a litte easier to make the catches here,' Crippen said.
President Reagan will be among the special guests invited to watch Challenger's planned dawn landing at the Kennedy Space Center Friday.
