ISS Astronauts Can Now Enjoy Coffee From ISSpresso, First Coffee Maker In Space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station can finally kickstart their day downing a piping hot cup of coffee thanks to the first space station coffee maker.

Two aerospace companies 'Lavazza' and 'Argotec' have created the first space station coffee maker called ISSpresso in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency. ISSpresso is a capsule-based espresso machine able to work in the zero-gravity conditions in space.

ISSpresso will arrive at the station this November with astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency.  Apart from being the first Italian woman astronaut, she will be even the first to get coffee from ISSpresso. The arrival of the ISSpresso will put an end to the complaints of  the Italian astronauts for the past 13 years of how they miss an espresso coffee aboard the ISS. This will turn their espresso wish in to reality.

"We have been thinking about taking espresso into space for some time," said Giuseppe Lavazza, vice president of the coffee retailer Lavazza, in a statement. "Today we are in a position to overcome the limits of weightlessness and enjoy a good espresso - the indisputable symbol of made in Italy products - on board the International Space Station."

According to David Avino, the Managing Director of Argotec, the newly designed coffee-maker will function well in microgravity conditions and is safe for the astronauts. ISSpresso is a technological challenge that meets the demands of the Italian Space Agency in terms of safety as well as functionality.

Instead of the plastic tube that carries water inside a normal espresso machine, the engineers have used a steel tube that can withstand the pressure of over 400 bar.  This complex machine weighing 20 kilograms has back-up of all the key components for safety reasons. This innovative capsule system can produce not just a regular espresso but also a Caffe lungo or other hot beverages like tea, infusions and broth so that even food can be rehydrated.

"Argotec is also taking care of the European astronauts' training and nutrition. Food provides an important psychological support and being able to enjoy a good Italian espresso may be just the right way to finish off the menu designed especially for each astronaut, helping him or her to feel closer to home," according to the release.