The first Italian woman to travel into space has now also become the first astronaut to drink an authentic Italian espresso while in orbit, after an ISSpresso machine was installed on the International Space Station.
Samantha Cristoforetti was able to enjoy the beverage as a result of a collaboration between Lavazza, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and film packaging manufacturer Argotec. The ISSpresso technology is the first capsule espresso maker that can endure the extreme conditions that space presents; the principles that determine the fluid dynamic characteristics of liquids are different in orbit to those found on Earth.
Once the coffee has been “poured”, a patented new system cleans the final section of the hydraulic circuit and at the same time generates a small pressure difference inside the special pouch used as an espresso cup. As such, when the straw is inserted, all the aroma of the coffee is released.
We first reported on the project to get the world’s first zero-gravity coffee maker on the International Space Station back in November.
In a joint statement, Argotec managing director David Avino and Lavazza Group vice president Giuseppe Lavazza said: “With the successful conclusion of today’s experiment, we have completed the challenge we set ourselves almost a year ago when we presented the project, not only overcoming the limits of weightlessness and allowing the astronauts on board the International Space Station to drink excellent espresso coffee, that undisputed symbol of Italian-made products, but also improving our knowledge about fluid dynamics. The collaboration between Argotec and Lavazza, in partnership with ASI, demonstrates how synergy between two Italian companies, both based in Turin and both recognised for excellence in their own sectors, can deliver extraordinary results of international importance.”
Italian Space Agency president Roberto Battiston added: “The experiment represents an advanced engineering project, the result of a partnership between the public and private sectors which has produced innovative solutions that will not only have immediate psychological benefits for astronauts, but also generate an important economic return for Italian industry in the sector, promote its image and establish an advanced technology positioning for future space missions.”
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