Espresso coffees will blast off in space this month!

Zero Gravity Espresso Cup – helps astronauts to sip their coffee in space!

Cimbali have learned that a team of US researchers and design engineers have recently created a unique coffee cup that will let astronauts sip the perfect shot of espresso in space!

For astronauts in space struggling to get up in the morning and carry out their duties, this could be a welcome relief. The researchers say that they have discovered the zero gravity espresso cup which can deliver the perfect shot in orbit every time. It does this by using a series of channels to stimulate the pouring needed to create the perfect drink.

Micro-gravity conditions in space inhibit the production of ‘crema’ which is the defining feature of a decent espresso. A shot of espresso is composed of a complex, low density colloid of emulsified oils, and the earth’s gravity causes these oils to rise to the surface producing the aromatic foam enjoyed by coffee lovers around the world.

Created by a team at the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, at Portland State University in the US – 6 of the 3D printed cups are scheduled to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) this month aboard a SpaceX rocket.   The shape of the container can passively drive fluids to desired locations without moving parts – exploiting the reflexive forces of wetting and surface tension. The special design makes the enjoyment of espresso coffee, and other drinks in low-gravity environments of spacecraft possible.

Without the pull of gravity, fluids behave differently than they do on earth, as instead of ‘pouring’, a liquid retains a more globular shape held together by its own surface tension. This phenomenon complicates even the most basic of manoeuvres such as drinking a cup of coffee. The 3D espresso cup is designed to cheat low-gravity by channelling liquid along a specifically-calculated contour in the vessel to exploit capillary forces that simulate the action of pouring.

Hovering up to 270 miles (435 kms) above the Earth, the International Space Station is a long way from home, and astronauts have said how they miss their creature comforts such as coffee and beer! Food and drink provides an important psychological support – so now that the perfect espresso may soon be readily available in space, this could help the astronauts feel just that little bit closer to home.