How To Make Espresso In Space

In a story that's sure to bring to the surface the long-debunked myth of an over-elaborate NASA quest to create a pen to operate in space, Wired reports that the coffee situation aboard the International Space Station is about to improve: the station will be getting a 20kg, custom designed Lavazza espresso machine, to be delivered along with Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Among other differences from terrestrial espresso machines: the resulting beverage must be pumped into a straw-friendly bag rather than a demitasse. I wonder if there could be some way to adapt a (much lighter) Aeropress for space purposes, as a backup.

Re:Air pressure

[camperdave]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISS_ECLSS#Atmosphere [wikipedia.org]

Normal air pressure on the ISS is 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi);[4] the same as at sea level on Earth. It would hardly do for astronauts to get the bends upon arrival at the ISS.

Re:Seems kinda extravagant

[DutchUncle]

Have you seen this barista's resume? Three degrees, journal publication, pilot's license . . . it's *really* tough finding a job nowadays.