Italian Astronaut Gets First Sip of New and Improved Space Espresso
Samantha Cristoforetti taste tested espresso from new machine built for space.
— -- Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti boldly brewed where no astronaut has ever done so before -- on board the International Space Station.
As if she couldn't get any cooler, Cristoforetti wore her Star Trek uniform as she sipped her cup of espresso from a cup designed for zero gravity use. The Italian astronaut shared the sweet snap on Sunday with her Twitter followers.
"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised," Cristoforetti tweeted. "Fresh espresso in the new Zero-G cup! To boldly brew... "
Italian coffee maker Lavazza teamed up with engineering firm Argotec to create the specially designed espresso maker for space. It was delivered last month in the latest cargo shipment from the SpaceX Dragon.
After half a year in space, Cristoforetti will soon be able to enjoy an endless array of espresso when she returns to Earth next weekend -- but for now, it seems this will get her through the next week.
The brew was likely an improvement from the instant coffee astronauts are used to getting their caffeine rush from at the International Space Station.