Soon, astronauts will be able to have a fresh cup of coffee aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Italian coffee merchant Lavazza along with engineering company Argotec has designed a coffee machine to provide a hot cup of coffee in space.

The ISSpresso machine is quite different from the one available on earth. It is not a full ground coffee machine as it would become quite messy in zero gravity. The machine will use coffee capsules and the machine will then operate under the space principles of fluid dynamics.

The prepared coffee will then be served in a sealed pouch allowing astronauts to sip coffee from straw. "The plastic tube carrying the water inside a normal espresso machine has been replaced with a special steel tube designed to withstand pressure of more than 400 bar", said Argotec.

Argotec said the machine is quite complex as it weighs around 20 kilograms. It comprises all the back-ups of important components provided for the safety purpose that are in accordance with the guidelines agreed upon with the Italian Space Agency.

The machine is currently getting tested at Argotec's labs. In November, the machine will be sent to the ISS and then astronauts who used to find it difficult without having their coffee will be able to have it.

Argotec said the machine will be the first designed to withstand travel when it arrives at the space station later this year. "ISSpresso represents a technologically high-value project which, besides increasing the variety of flavour in the astronauts' menu, will help improve our understanding of the principles of fluid dynamics and conditions in microgravity", affirmed Argotec.