SpaceX Space Station Delivery Mission Brings Espresso And Another Landing Attempt On An Ocean Platform

SpaceX is launching its sixth commercial resupply mission, called CRS-6, to the International Space Station on Monday. The cargo delivery will refresh science investigations and, as a bonus, serve up some espresso for the caffeine-deprived crew. The ISSpresso, co-developed by the Italian Space Agency, Argotec and Lavazza, can serve espresso, tea, consomme and other hot beverages to the astronauts aboard the space station. The machine will be more than a pleasant diversion, and its use could eventually help improve drug delivery systems on Earth.

The ISSpresso, in development for a few years, is a capsule-based machine designed specifically for the rigors of space. "Today we are in a position to overcome the limits of weightlessness and enjoy a good espresso — the indisputable symbol of made-in-Italy products — on board the International Space Station," Giuseppe Lavazza, vice president of the company, said in a statement. Fluids behave quite differently in microgravity, so creating a system that can brew and pour a cup of espresso into a specially designed pouch requires some ingenious engineering and will advance the study of physics and fluid dynamics. The espresso machine was first scheduled to be delivered in 2014, but it was delayed.

"After ISSpresso is physically and electrically connected, a water pouch is installed, and the unit is powered on. In order to utilize the ISSpresso, a NASA standard drink bag is installed, along with a capsule containing the beverage item that the crew member wishes to drink. After the item has been brewed, the used capsule and the drink bag are removed. ISSpresso is then powered off, the water pouch removed. ISSpresso is then disconnected from the UOP, and it is removed and stowed," read NASA's instructions for the proper usage of the espresso machine.

The ISSpresso machine is part of the Capillary Beverage study to test a new container used aboard the space station. The study could help improve drug delivery systems on Earth, according to NASA. Fittingly, Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will be among the first astronauts to drink espresso in space.

Another science investigation being delivered to the space station by the Dragon spacecraft could shape the future of television. The Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space will study the effects of microgravity on liquid crystals -- the same kind used in LCD screens. In addition to improving the quality of television and computer screens, there may one day be an LCD screen built into astronaut helmets.

Another study is titled Fluid Shifts Before, During and After Prolonged Space Flight and Their Association With Intracranial Pressure and Visual Impairment. It will explore how blood and water can move around an astronaut's head in microgravity. Eye health dangers and vision problems are well-known effects of space flight that studies like Fluid Shifts are trying to solve.

While Dragon is busy flying to the space station, SpaceX will attempt another Falcon 9 rocket landing on an ocean platform. The company is trying to create a reusable rocket and this will be SpaceX's third attempt at landing the first stage of the Falcon 9 on an ocean platform. The first attempt ended with a hard landing and the second attempt was scrubbed due to poor weather.

The SpaceX launch live stream coverage begins at 4:15 p.m. EDT with the launch window beginning at 4:33:15. You can view the broadcast below.