Now even astronauts in space can get a good cup of espresso.
Astronauts on the International Space Station fired up their new espresso machine for the first time this weekend. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (of the European Space Agency) announced the new microgravity brew in style with a “Star Trek” themed-photo on Twitter Sunday.
“‘Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised,’” Cristoforetti wrote, quoting an episode of “Star Trek.” “Fresh espresso in the new Zero-G cup! To boldly brew.”’
Cristoforetti also wore her Starfleet uniform to show off the new brew.
The station’s new espresso machine — cleverly called the “ISSpresso” — flew up to the ISS in April aboard a robotic SpaceX Dragon capsule, and it can brew more than just espresso. The microgravity coffee machine can also make tea, broth or other hot liquids, NASA says.
Cristoforetti’s zero-g cup might actually be a major improvement to the way astronauts currently drink on the space station. At the moment, space station residents use bags and straws to drink liquid in space, but the new cup could actually help people on the ground learn how to more effectively administer medicine, NASA said.