The SpaceX supply ship has arrived at the International Space Station, delivering the world’s first espresso machine designed exclusively for astronauts. The space station crew captured the Dragon capsule Friday morning, three days after its launch with the help of a giant robot arm. The cargo carrier holds more than 4,000 pounds of much-needed groceries, experiments and equipment. Italy provided the espresso maker for Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. She’s been stuck with instant coffee since her mission began in November.
The espresso machine is three months late because of the backlog created by last year’s loss of a supply ship in a launch explosion. Much later and the espresso machine would have missed Cristoforetti, who returns home next month. She says she can’t wait to try some space espresso.
