News You Can Use

(Image courtesy Lavazza.)

(Image courtesy Lavazza.)

What do you get for the astronaut who has everything? A zero-g espresso machine, of course:

SpaceX is scheduled to launch its unmanned rocket with the espresso maker — and 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) of food, science research and other equipment — Monday afternoon.

The experimental espresso machine is intended for International Space Station astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of Italy. It was supposed to arrive in January, shortly after her arrival, so she could get some relief from the station’s instant coffee. But it ended up on the back burner after a station shipment from Virginia was lost in a launch explosion.

The espresso maker is dubbed ISSpresso — ISS standing for International Space Station. Italian coffee giant Lavazza joined forces with the Turin-based engineering company Argotec and the Italian Space Agency to provide a specially designed machine for use off the planet. NASA certified its safety.

Advertisement

This equipment is an important addition for a crew facing 15 sunrises every day.

Recommended

Trending on PJ Media Videos

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Advertisement
Advertisement