The International Space Station Finally Gets An Espresso Machine, And It's Called 'ISSPresso'

This week, SpaceX sent a much-needed espresso machine, the ISSPresso, to the International Space Station, along with more food and research equipment.

Originally, the machine was scheduled to arrive at the ISS last year, but was destroyed when the Orbital Sciences Antares supply rocket exploded.

Until now, astronauts only had access to instant coffee — though the station's supply manager, NASA's Vickie Kloeris, told NPR, "For an instant coffee, it's an excellent instant coffee."

Astronauts are permitted to drink three pouches of instant coffee a day, and they are "extremely popular," Kloeris confirmed.

The long-awaited ISSPResso was designed by the Torino, Italy-based aerospace company Argotec in collaboration with Italian coffee maker Lavazza, and is approximately the size of a microwave. And yes, it's "I-S-S for the International Space Station, 'Presso' like the expresso," Argotec's managing director confirmed to NPR.

For now, the espresso comes out in a pouch because the team has yet to develop an espresso cup to work in zero gravity.