TURIN, Italy, May 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
ISSpresso, the
first capsule espresso coffee machine for use in space, produced by
Argotec and Lavazza in partnership with the Italian Space Agency,
is now in operation on the International Space Station
Coffee calling Earth: at 12.44 GMT, the first espresso
coffee was drunk in space. An espresso wish finally come true with
the help of ISSpresso, the first capsule espresso machine that
can work in the extreme conditions found in space. It was
installed on the International Space Station by Samantha Cristoforetti, the Italian European
Space Agency astronaut, Italian Air Force captain and member of
Futura, the second long-duration mission sent to the ISS by the
Italian Space Agency. Today, therefore, Samantha Cristoforetti becomes not only the
first Italian woman in space, but also the first astronaut in
history to drink authentic Italian espresso coffee in orbit. The
ISSpresso project is an initiative by Argotec and Lavazza in a
public/private sector partnership with the Italian Space Agency
(ASI).
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150503/740659 )
ISSpresso, one of the nine experiments selected by the Italian
Space Agency for Samantha
Cristoforetti's Futura Mission, not only symbolises the
Italian-made technology that has won a place on the space station,
but is also the result of advanced scientific research. Making
coffee in space isn't easy, requiring some extremely sophisticated
technology, and this is the first capsule espresso machine that can
work in the extreme conditions in space, where the principles that
determine the fluid dynamic characteristics of liquids and mixtures
are very different from those typically found on earth. ISSpresso
is a veritable gem of advanced technology and engineering, able to
produce perfect espresso coffee even in weightless conditions. This
is why it was selected by the Italian Space Agency for use on board
the ISS.
A coffee break in space. Operations to support the
experiment were supervised by the Argotec control center and
monitored by the Italian Space Agency's control centers. The first
espresso coffee made in space was welcomed with great enthusiasm by
Futura Mission crew members. The ISSpresso machine, which uses the
same Lavazza coffee capsules as those found on earth, has been
designed and built to deliver the same quality as an authentic
Italian espresso coffee in terms of cream, body, aroma and
temperature. The drink was produced in microgravity conditions and
respects all the characteristics of Italian espresso coffee. Once
the coffee has been "poured", a patented new system cleans the
final section of the hydraulic circuit and at the same time
generates a small pressure difference inside the special pouch used
as a space "espresso cup", so that when the straw is inserted, all
the aroma of the coffee is released. The pouch is made from a
transparent material, making it possible to observe the cream
directly as part of the fluid dynamic experiment being conducted
and to study the behaviour in space of liquids at high pressure and
temperature.
Following, more information on the results of the experiment
could be provided.
ISSpresso takes its name from the International
Space Station (ISS), on which it has been installed thanks to the
access and usage rights held exclusively in Europe by the Italian Space Agency, in the
framework of bilateral cooperation with NASA. It is the first
capsule espresso coffee machine that can work in the extreme
conditions of space, where the principles that determine the
fluid dynamic characteristics of liquids and mixtures are very
different from those typically found on earth. ISSpresso was
born out of a project by Argotec, the Italian engineering company
which specialises in the design of aerospace systems and is
European leader in the preparation of healthy and nutritious food
to eat in space, and historic Italian coffee brand Lavazza.
ISSpresso is a technological challenge that satisfies the extremely
stringent requirements established by the Italian Space Agency and
NASA in terms of technical operation and safety: it represents an
important scientific and engineering milestone that will contribute
to increasing our knowledge about fluid dynamic principles in
conditions of microgravity, as well as contributing to improving
astronauts' quality of life on the ISS. The innovative capsule
system can also make "caffè lungo" (an espresso with a little more
water than usual) and hot drinks like tea, herbal infusions and
broth for rehydrating freeze dried foods. International patent
applications have been filed for several of the solutions
introduced, which may prove useful both for future space missions
and here on earth.
"The experiment represents an advanced engineering project,"
Italian Space Agency President Roberto
Battiston reminds us, "the result of a partnership between
the public and private sectors which has produced innovative
solutions that will not only have immediate psychological benefits
for astronauts, but also generate an important economic return for
Italian industry in the sector, promote its image and establish an
advanced technology positioning for future space missions."
"With the successful conclusion of today's experiment, we have
completed the challenge we set ourselves almost a year ago when we
presented the project, not only overcoming the limits of
weightlessness and allowing the astronauts on board the
International Space Station to drink excellent espresso coffee,
that undisputed symbol of Italian made products, but also improving
our knowledge about fluid dynamics," commented with satisfaction
Argotec Managing Director David
Avino and Lavazza Group Vice President Giuseppe Lavazza, "The collaboration between
Argotec and Lavazza, in partnership with ASI, demonstrates how
synergy between two Italian companies, both based in Turin and both recognised for excellence in
their own sectors, can deliver extraordinary results of
international importance."
Extraterrestrial technology. Another record set by
ISSpresso is the speed with which the project was completed, about
18 months, compared with the average for space projects. Every
detail of ISSpresso has been studied in depth to respond to
a scientific and engineering challenge, involving research into the
principles of physics and fluid dynamics, such as the problem of
managing liquids in space at high pressure and temperature. To give
you some idea of what is involved, the plastic tube through which a
normal espresso machine receives water has been replaced with a
special steel tube that can withstand a pressure of over 400
bar. The ISSpresso machine is so complex that it weighs about
25 kilogrammes, because all the critical components are
redundant for reasons of safety, as required by the specifications
agreed with the Italian Space Agency.
To comment on Twitter: #MissionEspresso, #ISSpresso
@Lavazza, @argotec_it, @ASI_spazio
Argotec. Argotec is an Italian
aerospace engineering company with a broad offering of professional
and engineering products, mainly for the space and defence markets.
The company is recognised as having many years' valuable experience
in various segments of the aerospace sector: engineering,
information technology, systems integration, software development,
and human space flights and operations. The company's certified
instructors train European astronauts and flight controllers at the
European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. Argotec also performs research work
in many areas of the aerospace industry and is one of the main
players in various projects to design and develop thermal and fluid
dynamic systems for the International Space Station. These devices
are not designed solely for use in space, but also with the aim of
developing innovations that can be applied directly on earth. These
are the principles underpinning the development of ISSpresso and
several highly efficient thermal systems, as well as many other
payloads and systems for space. Recently Argotec has developed new
nutrition & health expertise at its Space Food Lab, which has a
mission to implement innovative technology for the preparation and
storage of food in space.
Lavazza. Established in
Turin in 1895, has been owned by
the family of the same name for four generations. The world's
seventh ranking coffee roaster, today Lavazza is the retail market
leader in Italy with a market
share by value of over 47% (source: Nielsen), 3,100 collaborator
and sales of EUR 1,340 million (as of
December 31, 2013). The company has
five production sites, four in Italy and one abroad, and operates through
associated companies and distributors in more than 90 countries.
Lavazza exports 46% of its production today. Lavazza invented the
concept of blending - or in other words the art of combining
different types of coffee from different geographical areas - in
its early years and this continues to be a distinctive feature of
all its products. The company also has 25 years' experience in the
production and sale of portioned coffee systems and products and
was the first Italian business to offer capsule espresso systems.
Today, through ongoing partnerships with an international network
of universities and scientific research centers, Lavazza operates
four platforms in this segment.
Lavazza is the official coffee at the
Italy Pavilion, Expo 2015.
For information
ASI
Press Office
Giuseppina Piccirilli
+39(0)6-8567-431-351 | 366-6449857
stampa@asi.it
http://www.asi.it
LAVAZZA
Public Relations - Press Office
Edoardo Fulio Bragoni
+39(0)11-239-8377 | 340-38-72-907
e.fuliobragoni@lavazza.it
http://www.lavazza.it
ARGOTEC
PR and Communications Office
Antonio Pilello
+39(0)11-7650-567 |
+49-1577-6813-122
| 347-8513-122
press@argotec.it
http://www.argotec.it