Lavazza

An espresso machine is being installed in the International Space Station to satisfy astronauts' craving for social situations when hurtling around the Earth at seven kilometres per second.

The ISSpresso -- that's what they called it, we swear -- was built by Italian coffee kings Lavazza in conjunction with Argotec and the Italian Space Agency. The machine, which weighs 20kg with all the additional safety mechanisms, will be accompanying Air Force Captain Samantha Cristoforetti -- Italy's first woman into space -- in November this year.


A number of modifications have needed to be made to perfect the art of java in microgravity conditions. Luckily, as the ISS is pressurised to sea level (one atmosphere) the boiling temperature of water isn't affected. But due to the nature of pressurising a liquid to pass it through a capsule of ground coffee beans in a highly sensitive scientific environment, some precautions have been taken. Such as the steam pipe, what would be a plastic tubing in your local Starbucks is replaced with a steel tube capable of withstanding 400bar of pressure (much higher than the 9bar specified by the Italian Espresso National Institute for making a Certified Italian Espresso).

Lavazza

The method of delivery has had to be changed slightly as well, on account of the way liquids like to behave when not constrained by the cruel shackles of gravity. Water on the ISS is stored in small pouches, not unlike saline bags. The mechanism of output for the ISSpresso has had to match accordingly, meaning astronauts will have to enjoy their caffè lungo through a straw.

Still, it's better than the alternative.

According to Giuseppe Lavazza, who undertook this project as a personal challenge, the most common feedback from astronauts revealed one of the most missed commodities in space is the humble espresso. The introduction of a "corner cafe" is expected to help overcome the isolating and challenging environment astronauts have to work in, while also giving them a little home comfort while they float hundreds of miles above their own.