Rhett Allain, Southeastern Louisiana University, provides a rather clever assessment (with a bit of math!) of how much energy it takes to get candy bars into space. Includes a nice photo of NASA astronaut Cady Coleman on board the ISS with - You guessed it! - a couple packs of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

The primary role of the Automated Transfer Vehicle is to bring supplies to the International Space Station. Supplies include food, water, oxygen, scientific equipment and candy bars. Yes, I listed food twice. Candy is food, but I listed it separately so that we could look at candy in space.

Here is the question: Suppose an astronaut requests an extra candy bar to be sent up on the ATV. How much extra energy is required to get this candy into orbit? That is the question.