On Earth, a double shot mocha latte with soymilk, low-fat whip and a caramel drizzle is just about as complicated as a cup of coffee gets. Aboard the International Space Station, however, even just a simple cup of black coffee presents obstacles for crew members.
Understanding how fluids behave in microgravity is crucial to bringing the joys of the coffee bean to the orbiting laboratory. Astronaut Don Pettit crafted a DIY space cup using a folded piece of overhead transparency film. Surface tension keeps the scalding liquid inside the cup, and the shape wicks the liquid up the sides of the device into the drinker’s mouth.
The Capillary Beverage investigation explored the process of drinking from specially designed containers that use fluid dynamics to mimic the effect of gravity. While fun, this study could provide information useful to engineers who design fuel tanks for commercial satellites!
The capillary beverage cup allows astronauts to drink much like they would on Earth. Rather than drinking from a shiny bag and straw, the cup allows the crew member to enjoy the aroma of the beverage they’re consuming.
On Earth, liquid is held in the cup by gravity. In microgravity, surface tension keeps the liquid stable in the container.
The ISSpresso machine brought the comforts of freshly-brewed coffees and teas to the space station. European astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti enjoyed the first cup of espresso brewed using the ISSpresso machine during Expedition 43.
Astronaut Kjell Lindgren celebrated National Coffee Day during Expedition 45 by brewing the first cup of hand brewed coffee in space.
We have a latte going on over on our Snapchat account, so give us a follow to stay up to date! Also be sure to follow @ISS_Research on Twitter for your daily dose of space station science.
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.
I know National Coffee Day is almost over but who can pass up reblogging a combo of coffee, science and gifs? Nobody, that’s who. -Carla
Unless you’ve been diving off the California coast, the incredible color and diversity of its rocky reefs may surprise you. This 2,000-gallon tank—filled with vibrant brittle stars, painted greenlings, and rosy rockfish—offers just one small window into the vast array of fish and invertebrates that thrive in California’s National Marine Sanctuaries. (Starfish statement 📷 by visitor Vivian.)
I donated days ago but its fucked up how when black women are in need of help how people just leave em hanging. It’s been almost 2 months and she got $675? Ive peeped non Black people get $1000s for silly stuff on gofundme.
its true, non-black POCs and white-passing POCs wrack up wealth like shit on things like this but it doesnt mean we cant collectively aid black femmes when we see it. do your part, even if its just passing on the link! all $1 add up also!
Facts! Nobody complains about them needing assistance either. Every time a Black person has a gofundme ppl get in the notes complaining and shaming them for asking for any help. If they dont shame us when we ask for help its only when someone died/was murdered in a tragic way. Otherwise you’ll get paid dust and/or shaded.
Please signal boost this around & donate if you can.
