Your cart is currently empty!
Finally, You Can Enjoy a Double Latte in Space!
When I was younger, outer space seemed like a realm only for geeks. Being passionate about space travel felt futile since the moon landing was already in the rearview mirror, and enjoying sci-fi meant spending weekends in solitude. Our options for viewing were limited to Star Trek reruns, which, while fantastic, didn’t quite satisfy.
Fast forward to today, and we’re in the midst of a vibrant sci-fi film industry—anyone up for Guardians of the Galaxy? The Star Trek and Star Wars franchises continue to grow, and the best part? We have a real International Space Station (ISS) where astronauts share their incredible experiences with us via social media. Life is good!
Now, these remarkable astronauts, who inspire us through their peaceful international cooperation and stunning Earth photography, can finally savor a cup of espresso. Previously, they had to endure the horror of instant coffee, which comes in freeze-dried packets. Remember, this is an INTERNATIONAL space station, so it’s not just Americans on board. While many of us are happy drinking coffee from environmentally harmful plastic pods, espresso isn’t a high priority. However, ask a European, and you’ll hear them rave about the joy of a good cup of coffee, especially when they’re spending a year in space, far from their chic sidewalk cafés.
Enter the ISSpresso machine—yes, that’s its name! The arrival of this coffee maker is perfectly timed for Italian astronaut Marco Vitale, who is heading home soon. He’ll certainly put it to the test, as brewing coffee in zero gravity requires a delicate touch. The company that developed it is still refining the machine and working on creating a tiny espresso cup that can function in microgravity.
But that’s not all—there’s even cooler news coming from the ISS! Retired Canadian astronaut Alex Harper, who previously commanded the space station, became a social media sensation with his stunning photos and science demonstrations. He even recorded a version of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” while there, which became the first music video filmed in space and has since garnered over 25 million views. Bowie himself called it “possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created.”
Now, Alex is preparing to release an album of songs recorded entirely in space. He recorded vocals and guitar tracks while aboard the station and collaborated with Canadian artists like The Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith to enhance the tracks. Expect the album to drop later this year!
And if you think this is just for the nerds, think again—being a geek is cool again! Marco Vitale recently shared a photo of himself in a Star Trek uniform inside the ISS, with the espresso machine-filled Space X Dragon freighter visible in the background. For any space enthusiast, it doesn’t get any cooler than this!
This article originally appeared on April 21, 2005.
For more engaging stories, be sure to check out our other blog posts. If you’re interested in home insemination techniques, you might find our article on intracervical insemination informative. For those considering at-home insemination kits, CryoBaby’s offerings are top-notch. And for comprehensive information on pregnancy options, refer to Healthline’s IVF guide.
In summary, the world of space exploration is not only advancing in technology but also in the comforts of life, as astronauts can now enjoy espresso in the cosmos. With remarkable achievements and ongoing projects, the connection between space and everyday life continues to grow, making it an exciting time for both enthusiasts and the general public.