To the moon and back: How Kraft's Tang became a billion-dollar brand: The beverage brand once touted by astronauts has become an icon around the world, albeit with local taste twists in many global markets

Tang became the most famous beverage in the galaxy more than 40 years ago when it rode along with astronauts in space. Now the powdered drink mix has reached a more earthly milestone.

Kraft Foods announced today that Tang has become its 12th billion-dollar brand, with global sales nearly doubling since 2006, thanks mostly to aggressive marketing in international markets such as Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and the Philippines. Tang joins an elite roster of billion-dollar brands at Kraft, including powerhouses such as Oreo, Trident, Milka, Oscar Mayer, Maxwell House and Cadbury chocolates.

Of course, in the beverage world, the billion-dollar club is not as elite. Coca-Cola alone boasts 15 of them, ranging from Coke and Sprite to Vitaminwater; and PepsiCo owns 10, including Pepsi-Cola, Gatorade and Sierra Mist.

But for Kraft, Tang's ascension validates the focus the food giant put on the brand overseas, including making it one of 10 "power brands" in developing markets. "With an entrepreneurial spirit, our Tang teams...