If there are sad faces and tired eyes on the International Space Station this week, it's likely not a caffeine crash but the despair of knowing they're going to have to wait another few months for a freshly brewed cappuccino. <\/p>\n
The ISSpresso machine -- a joint effort designed by coffee experts at the Italian manufacturer Lavazzo and engineers from Italian company Argotec -- pushes hot water at high pressure through coffee grounds and a long steel tube. The strongly flavored coffee is squeezed out into a pouch that's then sipped through a straw. <\/p>\n
The machine, which will bring espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos to the space station for the first time, was supposed to arrive along with Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti last week. <\/p>\n
But new reports suggest Cristoforetti arrived without the espresso maker; its shipment to ISS has apparently been delayed. <\/p>\n
David Avino of Argotec said that, subject to launch openings, the company hopes to get ISSpresso aboard the station in time for Cristoforetti's birthday in April. <\/p>\n
It's not yet clear what the reasoning for the delay is, but it would be understandable of space and weight was an issue. The rather large contraption weighs 44 pounds. <\/p>\n
When it finally does arrive, astronauts may be able to enjoy their expertly brewed espresso in a more traditional fashion -- out of a cup. Earlier this year, a group of researchers at Portland State University presented a paper (called \"The Capillary Fluidics of Espresso\") on the possibility of sipping the dark-roasted elixir in a low gravity environment. <\/p>\n
\"Espresso is distinguished by a complex low density colloid of emulsified oils,\" researcher wrote. \"Due to gravity, these oils rise to the surface forming a foam lid called the crema.\" <\/p>\n
\"To some, the texture and aromatics of the crema play a critical role in the overall espresso experience. We show how in the low-g environment this may not be possible,\" the scientists continued. \"We also suggest alternate methods for enjoying espresso aboard spacecraft.\" <\/p>\n
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ISS astronauts will have to wait until April for espresso<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If there are sad faces and tired eyes on the International Space Station this week, it's likely not a caffeine crash but the despair of knowing they're going to have to wait another few months for a freshly brewed cappuccino. The ISSpresso machine -- a joint effort designed by coffee experts at the Italian manufacturer Lavazzo and engineers from Italian company Argotec -- pushes hot water at high pressure through coffee grounds and a long steel tube Continue reading