Astronauts of all nationalities but especially the Italians have long grumbled about the tepid instant coffee served in pouches and drunk with straws in orbit.
They will still have to use the pouches but at least the freshly brewed coffee will pack some zero-gravity punch.
Italy's first female astronaut should be aboard the space station when the specially designed espresso machine arrives early next year. She will be the first out-of-this-world barista.