Helen Czerski
This is amazing. NASA commissioned a microgravity compatible espresso machine for the International Space Station (to make ISSpresso, obviously), and to stop the astronaut having to drink espresso from a closed container with a straw, a bunch of NASA volunteers designed the Space Cup, so the crema bubbles could be seen and the coffee smelled even in microgravity. And I've just been sent one in the post. That's Samantha Cristoforetti drinking from it in the ISS cupola. #ISS #Space #Coffee
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:10pmWeb
Show threadChris HarrisJan 23, 2023
@helenczerski And Samantha is in full Star Trek Voyager Starfleet uniform, too - much respect!
Show threadChristian KentJan 23, 2023
@headfirstonly @helenczerski Janeway’s coffee vibes detected
Show threadR. L. Dane  Jan 24, 2023

@headfirstonly @helenczerski

IIRC, the caption said, "There's coffee in that nebula!"

Show threadRob Agar🐀Jan 23, 2023
@helenczerski that is a fabulously cool object! Not sure I would have guessed it was for espresso though..
Show threadAidan HeerdegenJan 23, 2023
@helenczerski loved Samantha's photos from the ISS.
Show threadKnud JahnkeJan 23, 2023

@helenczerski

Is there any publicly accessible source for these cups?

Show threadKimJan 23, 2023
@helenczerski It does look disturbingly like it should be part of a zero-G toilet, thobut.
Show threadDavid HoJan 23, 2023
@helenczerski it looks like the one I drink my espresso from everyday.
Show threadDavid HoJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski maybe you’ve see this?

https://time.com/3844967/international-space-station-coffee-cups-espresso-data-fluid-systems-science/

Here's How Coffee Cups in Space Could Help Save Lives on Earth

Specially designed Space Cups aboard the International Space Station will provide data on how complex fluids move in zero gravity

Time
Show threaddragonfrogJan 24, 2023
@davidho @helenczerski some people will do anything to avoid paying the gravity bill.
Show threadScottinSoCal 🇺🇦 🕊 🏳‍🌈Jan 23, 2023
@helenczerski
And she's wearing one of Kate Mulgrew's Captain Janeway uniforms while she drinks it.
Show threadCatbusJan 23, 2023
@helenczerski this is why NASA deserves taxpayer funding and they should stop wasting it paying Space X to do less for more
Show threadEd the climate guyJan 24, 2023
@ancient_catbus @helenczerski As much as I hate Elon, this isn't exactly whats happening.
Show threadCatbusJan 24, 2023
@Ed_Carley @helenczerski yes it is
Show threadEd the climate guyJan 24, 2023
@ancient_catbus @helenczerski https://arstechnica.com/features/2020/05/the-numbers-dont-lie-nasas-move-to-commercial-space-has-saved-money/
The numbers don’t lie—NASA’s move to commercial space has saved money

“Together, we have become stronger for this nation.”

Ars Technica
Show threadEd the climate guyJan 24, 2023
@ancient_catbus @helenczerski That article is from 2020, before they routinely flew astronauts to ISS. Incidentally, reviving a capability that had not existed in NASA or the U.S. since the retirement of the Shuttle fleet.
Show threadIvar Grape Arnesen (new hire)Jan 24, 2023
@Ed_Carley I think the point stands if we change it to ‘less for less’.
@ancient_catbus @helenczerski
Show threadDavidJan 24, 2023
@ancient_catbus @helenczerski They need someone to ship up coffee beans to the ISS while they work on the cool stuff.
Show threadFalselogicJan 23, 2023
@helenczerski I don't even drink straight espresso but now I want one of those cups!
Show threadDB SchweinJan 23, 2023

@helenczerski

@ChazBrenchley !
@Jeanniewarner !!
So coooool

Show threadChaz BrenchleyJan 24, 2023
@deirdrebeth @helenczerski @Jeanniewarner - that's magnificent. And important work, obvs.
Show threadJimmy MiloseskiJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

This is the important work.
Imagine being an advanced space exploring species and needing to drink coffee from a straw 🤦‍♂️

Show threadR. L. Dane  Jan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

I believe this is the highest-quality photo of the cup I've ever seen.

Show threadChasJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

I like NASA's priorities and fully support them

Show threadMy name is Gloria ActuallyJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski capillary action I assume?
Show threadSamhain NightJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski In other news, you can make espresso in space!
Show threadFlorian SeverJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski ... we are doomed ...
Show threadMegJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski it’s a bulb. ;). #TheExpanse
Show threadGottfried Szing Jan 24, 2023
@helenczerski Coffee in space. Finally software developers can work up there as well. Until now this was impossible. ☕🫶
Show threadLukeJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski how do you get one of these things? I have a friend with a birthday coming up…
Show threadJimJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski Now the Italians will want more rides to the ISS.
Show threadDJJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski amazing. where do i find out more about this?
Show threadphil0x2eJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski I so badly want James Hoffmann to review these and the espresso machine :D
Show threadCharles ☭ is now tooting from queer.partyJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

Is the ISS being run by Star Fleet??

ETA: oh wow https://www.heroicgirls.com/astronaut-samantha-cristoforetti-becomes-the-worlds-greatest-cosplayer-with-one-selfie/

Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti becomes the world’s greatest cosplayer with one selfie

European Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti who is currently aboard the International Space Station, tweeted a photo of herself in a Star Trek uniform last Friday. “There’s coffee in that…

Heroic Girls
Show threadlippyduckJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski Are they reused?
Show threadDarryl MottJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski On a space station. Drinking Space Coffee. Wearing a DS9 uniform.

That's not espresso, that's raktajino.

Show threadSeiðrJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski One can get the Italian to outer space, but never Italy out of the Italian.
Show threadDiary of Paracelsus’s RoseJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski and among everyone they got an Italian to pose for it :D
Show threadMaddler  Jan 24, 2023
@helenczerski I have to get my coffee right after sunrise. Tat'd be interesting while on the ISS! 😎
Show thread(((o))) Acoustic MirrorJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski For the first time in my life, I find space travel a tempting proposition. #ISSPresso
Show threadMozzarella MommyJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski I love how it looks like a mouse. 🐭
Show threadyan fossatJan 24, 2023
Finally I can go to space.
Show threadTTimoJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski ok - if we've got expresso in space now, I'm ready to go!
Show threadMichaelJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

Samantha Cristoforetti, in a Star Trek uniform, drinking space espresso on the ISS.

Show threadVolcanodayJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski It shouldn't make me this happy that the ISS astronauts can drink proper coffee now 😭 . And the Janeway reference is just glorious!
Show threadSean DJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski This is taking the indulgence of "I can't start the morning without my coffee" crowd to a new level!
Show threadSakti Jan 24, 2023
@helenczerski Thank goodness I don't have to give up coffee when I move to Mars
Show threadAPJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski looks like it would also work great for Tang!
Show threadmelanyabeltaJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

Astronaut Don Pettit specifically invented the cup (he was sick of not smelling his coffee). The first iteration was made from a sheet of transparent plastic and tape to produce that tear-drop shape that allows the acute angle that allows it to work.

Various videos about it:

Death Wish Coffee Cup Interview (just talking, fairly short): https://youtu.be/AyN6ul6G_5I

Be Smart interview (with clips and animation and more info): https://youtu.be/UvUd4D3pjlU

The Zero G Coffee Cup

YouTube
Show threadWanderingBeekeeperJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski It's worth noting that Ms. Cristoforetti is cosplaying as Captain Kathryn Janeway, and that the Italian government invested in the space espresso system so that a cosplayer could have the appropriate prop.
Show threadSirJerkfaceJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski That's amazing! And also, I love that Samantha Cristoforetti seems to be cosplaying a ST:TNG uniform.
Show threadRS, Author, Novelist, ProsaistJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski This has to be surface tension. Isn't applied science wonderful?
Show threadGeekpulp Jan 24, 2023
@helenczerski this is the way.
Show threadTathar is dragons! ΘΔJan 24, 2023

@helenczerski

Vacuum space espresso sounds like something that I gotta try.

Show threadRobert J. BergerJan 24, 2023
@helenczerski
Show threadSchreibmaxJan 25, 2023
@helenczerski That is so amazing!
I just had a bunch of 14-16yo here with their school teacher to show them the ISS mockup at #Airbus Bremen. Interest really piped up when I told them about Samantha and the space isspresso.😊
Great material for outreach activities!
Show threadAlex, the Hearth FireJan 25, 2023
@helenczerski "there's coffee in that nebula"
Show threadMichael RoweJan 26, 2023
@helenczerski @effies now this is cool!
Show threadfungalinflectionJan 26, 2023
@helenczerski I think part of going to space, for all time, should be that you must consume everything out of pouches. This ensures that people remember they’re in space and don’t accidentally open a hatch without their space helmet or something.
Show threadMadelynJan 26, 2023
@helenczerski Outstanding! Why do I want one of these??