How Astronauts Brew Coffee on the International Space Station

Last week, Italy made space history—not just with its first female astronaut in orbit, but with a much-anticipated bonus: real Italian coffee in space. The event wasn’t just a milestone for European spaceflight, but for coffee lovers wondering how espresso survives 400 kilometers above Earth.

Yes, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) can now drink proper Italian espresso, thanks to a custom-built coffee machine that launched with Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. This machine, about 20 kilograms and built to work under pressure, is the first of its kind in orbit.

Who’s Brewing Coffee in Orbit?

On November 23 local time, 37-year-old Italian Air Force Captain Samantha Cristoforetti blasted off aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. She joined two other crew members—one Russian and one American—on a mission to the ISS. About six hours later, the capsule docked with the station, where six astronauts now live and work for the next 169 days.

Cristoforetti isn’t just making history as Italy’s first female astronaut on the ISS; she’ll also be the first person ever to drink authentic Italian espresso in space, thanks to a very special piece of equipment.

The Space Coffee Machine: How It Works

Launched alongside the crew was a custom-designed coffee machine developed jointly by Italian coffee company Lavazza and aerospace food firm Argotec. The machine weighs approximately 20 kilograms and is largely constructed from steel tubing to withstand the pressurized environment of the ISS.

This isn’t your average drip machine. Designed specifically for microgravity, it operates under pressure to produce espresso—just like you'd get on Earth, but adapted so it functions safely and effectively in zero gravity. It’s the first such machine to reach the ISS, and it allows astronauts to enjoy a proper hot espresso, not just instant or paste-like substitutes.

Lavazza and Argotec stated that Cristoforetti will be the first astronaut in history to drink real Italian espresso while in orbit. The machine’s presence marks a new era for in-space cuisine, especially for European astronauts used to their home-brewed coffee culture.

What Else Is on the Menu?

The recent resupply mission didn’t just carry coffee gear. Among the personal and nutritional items brought aboard were some surprisingly gourmet touches—including 15 tins of 30-gram portions of caviar, apples, oranges, tomatoes, 140 servings of powdered whole milk, and sugar-free black tea.

While astronauts no longer rely solely on nutrient pills or tube food, the addition of fresh-style flavors and specialty items like coffee shows how far space food has come. The caviar, fruit, and dairy products add variety, but it’s the espresso machine that has captured global attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first astronaut to drink real espresso in space?

Samantha Cristoforetti, a 37-year-old Italian Air Force captain and ESA astronaut, is the first person to drink genuine Italian espresso in space. She brought the first-ever espresso machine designed for orbital use to the ISS.

What kind of coffee machine is on the ISS?

The ISS now hosts a custom-built, 20-kilogram espresso machine created by Italian coffee company Lavazza and space food firm Argotec. It is built mainly from steel tubes and is designed to function under pressure in microgravity.

When did the new coffee machine arrive at the ISS?

The coffee machine arrived on November 23 (local time), launched onboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft that carried Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and two others to the ISS. Docking occurred about six hours after launch.

How do you make coffee in zero gravity?

The new espresso machine is specially engineered to operate in microgravity. It uses pressurized systems to brew espresso similarly to how it’s done on Earth, ensuring proper extraction and handling liquids without relying on gravity.

What else did the astronauts bring to the ISS besides coffee?

In addition to the coffee machine, the crew brought 15 tins of caviar (30 grams each), apples, oranges, tomatoes, 140 doses of powdered whole milk, and sugar-free black tea. The cargo also included regular astronaut food supplies.

How long will the current ISS crew stay in space?

The current six-person ISS crew, including Cristoforetti, will live and work aboard the station for 169 days, conducting hundreds of scientific experiments and remaining until May of the following year.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Space-Themed Sipping

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