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How To Make Espresso In Space

In a story that's sure to bring to the surface the long-debunked myth of an over-elaborate NASA quest to create a pen to operate in space, Wired reports that the coffee situation aboard the International Space Station is about to improve: the station will be getting a 20kg, custom designed Lavazza espresso machine, to be delivered along with Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Among other differences from terrestrial espresso machines: the resulting beverage must be pumped into a straw-friendly bag rather than a demitasse. I wonder if there could be some way to adapt a (much lighter) Aeropress for space purposes, as a backup.

37 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by __aajfby9338 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now I want a machine that can make an iced latte in zero G.

    1. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by quenda · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Last I heard, it cost around $20k/kg to lift cargo to orbit. Add in the extra weight of beans vs instant, and the world will finally see (albeit from a distance) coffee even more overpriced than Starbucks'.

    2. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by TWX · · Score: 2

      Between the price of the coffee and the price and complexity of the machines I thought that modern coffee shops were an example of the technological developments of the space program working their way back into terrestrial use...

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    3. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by Cryacin · · Score: 3, Funny

      You use approximately 20g of coffee beans to make a shot. Thus, you are talking $400 per shot. And for this delivery price, you are serving Lavazza?!?

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    4. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by __aajfby9338 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm talking lattes here wait until you see the bill for lifting the cow into space!

    5. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by 50000BTU_barbecue · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The machine is a Lavazza. One would hope the beans are something else.

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    6. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by jonwil · · Score: 2

      The astronaut going into space is an Italian. One would assume he would have advised the relavent space agencies on how to select the best coffee to send up there.

    7. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by gl4ss · · Score: 2

      well the italian aspect certainly explains why they would spend the 20kg on a coffee machine.

      and it's a capsule machine. but it has pipes that could withstand 400 bar of pressure. Why? I haven't got the slightest clue. but that still doesn't explain the weight. for the dimensions the frame has to be half inch steel or some shit like that(they actually claim its for some backup system, the weight, I don't know if it has some fluid suckup machine or something in case it leaks).

      on the other hand, since the capsules can contain other stuff, you can also use it for a hot chocolate.

      20 kg's to orbit for a fucking capsule coffee machine to make coffee that you drink out of a bag.

      but I still can't get my mind around the fact that they used space age highest technology for making something that's 20 kilos and pumps water out of one bag, heats it up and pushes it into another.

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    8. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      but it has pipes that could withstand 400 bar of pressure. Why? I haven't got the slightest clue

      My espresso machine is rated for 15 bar and probably weighs 2-3 kilos or so since it's made of heavy steel. 9 bar is pretty much the minimum to make espresso and actually get crema.

      I assume it's been heavily over-engineered because having your espresso machine malfunction in space would make a horrible mess. If my espresso machine leaks, it dumps water and grounds on my counter -- in space, it would be worse espresso grind is almost a powder.

      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.

      Again, over engineered for safety.

      on the other hand, since the capsules can contain other stuff, you can also use it for a hot chocolate.

      Well, they don't send children into space just yet, so nobody actually needs that. ;-)

      but I still can't get my mind around the fact that they used space age highest technology for making something that's 20 kilos and pumps water out of one bag, heats it up and pushes it into another.

      As an espresso drinker ... If I was going to be in space for an extended period of time ... being able to occasionally have a proper espresso would be awesome. If we're going to colonize space, the little luxuries will be really important. The Italians are just bringing a little dolce vita to space.

      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.

      And, apparently, the astronauts agree. Who wouldn't like a little comfort from home, and a little pick me up after a space walk?

      Alas, probably no good biscotti though. ;-)

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    9. Re:Putting the "Star" in Starbucks... by Richy_T · · Score: 2

      Lifting not required. The cow jumped over the moon.

  2. Re:yuck epresso by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    No need. They only send REAL men and worn into space.

  3. Just like other coffee multinationals by hamster_nz · · Score: 2

    I wonder if they will sell them special space-rated coffee beans at highly enflated prices in order to move any profits back to tax havens?

    (See http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/targ... if you miss the joke)

  4. Short black with one by aXis100 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    How do they add sugar!!!

    Look, I love coffee as much as the next guy but when they are replacing 20kg of scientific payload with a 20kg coffee machine (plus the pods and waste management), they might have their priorities a little skewed. If they'd spent the money on produging a better freeze dried espresso, all of humanity could benefit.

    1. Re:Short black with one by OzPeter · · Score: 2

      once you start adding sweeteners and dairy products

      Americans don't add dairy products. Instead they add this thing called "creamer" for which I have no idea how it relates to a cow.

      Plus, given that the nostalgic view that Americans as a culture have with regards to coffee revolves around brownish sludge in a piece of glassware that wouldn't look out of place in a laboratory; I'm not even sure they're starting with coffee.

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    2. Re:Short black with one by Opportunist · · Score: 2

      It's a Lavazza machine.

      So by your definition it should be absolutely impossible to drink it black. The question stands.

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    3. Re:Short black with one by hubie · · Score: 2

      They're trying to figure out if ants can be trained to sort tiny screws in space.

    4. Re:Short black with one by techno-vampire · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Personally, I prefer mine with cream and sugar because I find that for me it enhances the flavor. In fact, I add raw sugar to the half and half for my morning espresso before foaming it so that even the foam is sweetened. If you like yours "black and bitter," have at it, but don't expect me to join you.

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    5. Re:Short black with one by M8e · · Score: 4, Funny

      And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords!

    6. Re:Short black with one by jatoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If you like yours "black and bitter," have at it, but don't expect me to join you.

      The idea is that good coffee isn't bitter.

    7. Re:Short black with one by TapeCutter · · Score: 4, Funny

      Instead they add this thing called "creamer" for which I have no idea how it relates to a cow.

      I'm an Aussie, many moons ago I was in a bar in Amsterdam talking to a Dutch guy and a bloke from Chicago. The American asked "What's wrong with the milk over here, it goes off after 3-4 days in the fridge?", the dutchman and I nearly died laughing.

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    8. Re:Short black with one by TapeCutter · · Score: 2

      He didn't say $10, he said $10k, you missed the 'k', HAHAHAHAHAH AHHAHAH HAHAHAH HAHAH AHHAHAHAHA.....cough...splutter...wheeze.

      --
      And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
    9. Re:Short black with one by hawkinspeter · · Score: 2

      If you've got boiling water anywhere near coffee beans, you're doing it wrong.

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    10. Re:Short black with one by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

      Personally, I prefer mine with cream and sugar because I find that for me it enhances the flavor.

      Nope. Cream may bring out some flavors in the coffee that you can't otherwise taste, because it's fat and some of that stuff might be fat-soluble. But sugar can only ever hide the flavor in the coffee. Fetishism aside, if you come up with coffee that hasn't been sitting a long time and grind it fresh, there won't be so many undesirable flavors in it that need to be masked that way.

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    11. Re:Short black with one by Ihlosi · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Look, I love coffee as much as the next guy but when they are replacing 20kg of scientific payload

      Coffee is scientific payload. You don't want your experiments to fail because the involved researchers were under-caffeinated.

    12. Re:Short black with one by JLavezzo · · Score: 2

      Sorry, but this anecdote fails at explaining any cross cultural confusion. Was he buying something that wasn't milk? Your setting is Amsterdam, is this funny because he was buying drugs, not milk? Was he buying old milk because he didn't understand the expiration system? Is it funny that someone would have the expectation that a refrigerator would keep something fresh for more than 4 days? Is the joke that he thought milk that smelled like milk instead of an industrial product was 'off'? I'm genuinely interested in your insight here, especially because it earned a "5, Funny".

  5. Seems kinda extravagant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    " to be delivered along with Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti " it requires a barista?

    1. Re:Seems kinda extravagant by DutchUncle · · Score: 3, Informative

      Have you seen this barista's resume? Three degrees, journal publication, pilot's license . . . it's *really* tough finding a job nowadays.

  6. Re:yuck epresso by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I never got the whole syrup thing. Coffee needs no flavoring. It has a flavor already. Its flavor is called COFFEE.

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  7. Re:yuck epresso by Opportunist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Should introduce them to the coffee my mom used to make. The recipe for it ends in "and if the horseshoe sinks you didn't use enough coffee".

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  8. Re:But Why?! by Opportunist · · Score: 2

    All nice and dandy, but now we have to find a way to produce Earl Grey Tea, too.

    And don't you dare come along with teabags!

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  9. Re:yuck epresso by Shinobi · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Heh, that sounds like the coffee made in Sweden or Finland.

    It's always funny to see people from around europe and north america try to drink coffee as made in Sweden or Finland, while Swedes and Finns generally regard coffee made by anyone else as too watery.

    When I was in Kosovo, with the Swedish KFOR unit, we had some people from the US 502nd PIR come over to to our PX/café to try our coffee, and most of them had to thin it out to drink it, they weren't used to having it that strong. And they didn't believe us when we told them that it was not a special military brewing, but instead just ordinary brewing as most swedes who drink coffee would appreciate it.

    Common complaints from tourists is that even McDonalds and Starbucks coffee in Sweden is way too strong.

  10. You're right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The feds should have spent that blowing up more civilians and occupying places that don't want us there. Over $5 trillion wasted, and Iraq is about to fall again. Fuck, I'll take coffee in space any day of the week over what that stuff is usually spent on.

  11. Re:yuck epresso by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 2

    A worm/human hybrid-- they are similar in a lot of ways to to Dougal Dixon's Homo caelestis, but as with a lot o Biopreperat's work, the ethics are a bit muddled, so the worn program tries to keep a low profile.

  12. Re:yuck epresso by camperdave · · Score: 2

    Coffee needs no flavoring. It has a flavor already. Its flavor is called COFFEE.

    Is that you, Sid?

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  13. Re:Air pressure by cjameshuff · · Score: 2

    They *are* in a pressurized container. The ISS maintains a pressurized environment equivalent to sea level on Earth.

  14. Re:Air pressure by camperdave · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISS_ECLSS#Atmosphere

    Normal air pressure on the ISS is 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi);[4] the same as at sea level on Earth. It would hardly do for astronauts to get the bends upon arrival at the ISS.

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  15. Hamster wheel solution by Swordfish · · Score: 2

    One way to get around the difficulties with zero gravity for eating would be to install a "hamster wheel" inside the space station which would give at least the Moon's level of gravity, i.e. about a sixth of Earth's gravity, or the surface gravity of Mars, which is about 38% of Earth's. Of course, this would disturb zero-gravity experiments due to the inevitable "gravity noise" from the hamster wheel, but some sort of isolation mechanism could be introduced. After all, whenever astronauts move around, they are introducing "gravity noise" into zero-gravity experiments. So it can't be that bad. And the hamster wheel could be helpful with gyroscopic stabilization. Within the hamster wheel, astronauts could eat normal Earth food, and do other things for which gravity would assist.