The first Italian woman in space is also the first person to brew coffee in space. ESA astronaut Sam Cristoforetti donned her Star Trek uniform and posted a selfie on Sunday: "Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised. Fresh espresso in the new Zero-G cup! To boldly brew..."
Cristoforetti is due to return to Earth next week and almost missed her chance to brew a nice hot cup before the end of her six month mission, according to the Telegraph. The espresso machine was supposed to arrive at the space station in January, but was delayed because of a shipment backlog.
The machine, designed by Italian company Lavazza, has special zero gravity-friendly pieces, like a pressure-resistant steam pipe. The ISSpresso maker - as it has been dubbed - uses capsules to make the coffee. Fifteen were sent up, but more are ready if requested by the crew.
