The first zero-g real coffee machine arrives at the Space Station (thanks to the Italians, of course)

Yesterday morning, Italys first female astronaut arrived at the International Space Station, carrying well, more accurately, clutchingin her arms like a first-born child the first zero-g Certified Italian Espresso coffee machine. The machine, called the ISSpresso, was created by a couple of Italian companies after another Italian astronaut returned from the space station in 2012 and complained about the lack of good coffee while in Earth orbit. This might just seem like a very costly first-world frivolity at the expense of real science, but the introduction of a coffee machine to the ISS isnt just for fun: The good times that will be enjoyed over a hot plastic pouch of perkare expected togo a long way towards reducing the extreme isolation and stress that astronauts experience aboard the ISS.

The ISSpresso was developed by Lavazza and Argotec both based out of Turin, Italy, with the former being one of the topcoffee machine companies in Europe. The machine, which weighs in at a bulky 20 kilograms (44 lbs), was deliveredby the three Expedition 42/43 astronauts including Samantha Cristoforetti, Italys first female astronaut.

How the ISSpresso coffee machine works

While creating espresso is fairly simple here on Earth, forcing high-pressure water through coffee grounds is a complex and dangerous task when youre 300 miles above Earth, with no gravity assistance and only a few millimeters of easily-punctured aluminium protecting you from the infinite harshness of space.

The ISSpresso, then, is not like your Starbucks espresso machine. The astronaut starts by filling a pouch of water from the ISSs water reserve and connecting it to the ISSpressos input valve. The water is then aspirated, pressurized (to 9 bar), and heated to 94 degrees Celsius (201F) optimal espresso-making temperature. The water is then shot down a pipe that can withstand up to 400 bar, through a Keurig-like capsule of coffee grounds, and into another pouch. The astronaut then (carefully) drinks the coffee through a straw. According to Lavazza, the end result is a certified pouch of Italian espresso, and tastes pretty good though I suspect the lack of aroma (its a sealed system) probably detracts from the experience (and taste) somewhat.

ISSpresso, squirting espresso into a pouch

Due to the lack of gravity on board the space station, the ISSpresso cant yet produce a latte or flat white. On Earth, gravity is used to separate the steamed foam from the liquid milk up in space, theyd have to use a centrifuge, which might be taking things just a little too far. (Plus, without gravity, would the milk even float on the coffee anyway?)

The ISSpresso machine will be the centerpiece of the space stations new corner cafe, which will be a place for Expedition astronauts to kick back, unwind, and reflect over a pouch of coffee. Astronauts usually spend about six months on the ISS, which can be quite isolating when you absolutely cannot return to Earth to see your friends and family until the end of the mission. Living in odd conditions and carrying out space walks can obviously be rather stressful, too.

The first interplanetary coffee machine joins the first zero-g 3D printer, which was carried to the International Space Station back in September. Like the ISSpresso, the 3D printer serves a scientific purpose: Being able to build stuff in space, rather than brute-force launching everything from within Earths gravitational grip, would make deep-space exploration and eventual colonization a much more realistic prospect. Obviously, if theres a decent cup of coffee waiting on the surface of Mars, humanitys first interplanetary colonists might be a little more willing to leave home.

Now read:Caffeine: The science of why were all hooked

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The first zero-g real coffee machine arrives at the Space Station (thanks to the Italians, of course)