International Space Station astronauts were delighted to be given their ISSpresso space espresso machine. It is specially designed for making high quality espresso in microgravity conditions. Because it is made from recycled astronaut urine, the crew has given it the nickname “yesterdays coffee”. NASA has informed that the 6th SpaceX cargo flight to the International Space Station (ISS) is carrying the ISSpresso. It is loaded with over 4 ,300 lbs of supplies and payloads. Italian astronauts Paolo Nespoli (Italian) and Luca Parmitano (Italian) commented on how difficult it was to find good coffee at space. This prompted the idea of having an orbital espresso machine. The ISSpresso, an espresso coffee machine for the ISS, is used by crew members to make hot drinks such as tea, coffee or broth. Image: Argotec. The ISSpresso was created and designed by Argotec (Italian engineering company and software maker) and Luigi Lavazza S.p.A. (Italian coffee-machine manufacturer), both based in Turin. The Physics of Fluid Dynamics is Different in Space According to Argotec the ISSpresso was the first capsule-based espresso machine that can operate in extreme space conditions. These are where fluid dynamics and liquid mixtures may differ from what they do on Earth. Argotec stated that ISSpresso was a “veritable technological-engineering jewel” capable of delivering a flawless espresso even in a weightless space environment. ISSpresso engineers claim that their machine can handle any engineering or scientific challenge in space. The machine can handle liquids under high temperature and pressure in space environments. Argotec engineers stated that the normal plastic tube that carries the espresso has been replaced by a steel tube made to withstand high pressures of 400 bars. R&D staff at ISSpresso. Image: Argotec. The machine is a high-tech project that will increase the number of flavors available to astronauts. It also helps us understand the fluid dynamics in microgravity. Giuseppe Lavazza is Vice President at Lavazza. He said that Italian coffee has been a drink without borders for a while and had thought about taking espresso to space. In fact, we have been thinking about taking the espresso to space since ten years back, using the photos taken by Thierry La Goues as well as our Mission to Espresso calendar.
