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Italian Espresso Expands Into Space

WASHINGTON— Italian-style espresso coffee has devotees around the world, with a growing number of people abandoning a regular cup of coffee for the thicker brew. Now, Italian coffee machine makers are working to create a device that will be able to produce espresso in weightless conditions on the International Space Station.

Many people cannot imagine life without coffee, and for most Italians, coffee means espresso, a thick brew prepared in a special coffee machine.

So, when Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti headed for the International Space Station earlier this month, her compatriots worried how she would survive there for six months, drinking only instant coffee.

"I believe that when working as an astronaut, a job in which you have to reason a lot, reflect, and be attentive, espresso is definitely very important," said one Italian.

To help Cristoforetti and other espresso lovers in orbit, the famed Turin-based coffee maker Lavazza and engineering firm Argotec, which specializes in making space food, joined forces to produce a coffee machine that would work at zero gravity.

"We had to figure out how to make coffee on the station exactly like we make it on earth. The other difficulty was complying with safety measures in order to qualify the machine as 'On-Board software' on the International Space Station," said Alberto Cabilli, R&D manager for Lavazza.

The machine, called ISSpresso, overcomes the absence of gravity by firing pressurized water through capsules of coffee. Cristoforetti took it with her for testing when she blasted off into orbit on November 23.

"The concept of this machine was for an experiment, so we started as a technology demonstration experiment, but NASA was very much interested in getting this machine and keeping it on the station most likely for a long time, not just to make a few coffees. So this means that most likely, if everything goes well, after this technology demonstration the machine will be kept at the International Space Station and be available for all the astronauts rotating on the station," said David Avino, Argotec’s managing director.

Italians consider themselves great connoisseurs of coffee, perhaps with good reason.

"We are very proud, not only as Italians but also as residents of Turin - the first espresso machine was created in Turin in 1884, so about 130 years ago. And today in 2014, another two Turin-based realities - Lavazza and Argotec - developed a machine that will bring espresso - not only across the world, but even in space," said Marcello Arcangeli, the head of Lavazza’s training center network.

Besides espresso, the ISSpresso machine is capable of preparing tea and clear soup.

词汇解析

phase

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.相位；方面；局面；阶段；时期

vt.逐步执行

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

No phase transition evidence is found.

没有发现任何相位跃迁的证据。

用作及物动词 (vt.)

The use of lead-free petrol is now being phased in.

无铅汽油的应用现正逐步推广。

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terrific

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adj.可怕的；极好的；非常的；危险的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

The ceiling came down with a terrific crash.

随着一声可怕的巨响，天花板塌了下来。

He is driving at a terrific speed.

他以极快的速度驾驶。

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flee

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

vi.逃走；消失；逃避；(时间)飞逝

vt.逃离

参考例句

用作不及物动词 (vi.)

He tried to flee from the police in a stolen car.

他企图驾驶一辆偷来的车从警察局逃走。

He should not flee from responsibility.

他不应逃避责任。

用作及物动词 (vt.)

Many refugees have been forced to flee their homeland.

很多难民被迫逃离了祖国。

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overnight

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

adv.在夜里；过夜；突然

adj.整晚的；很快的

参考例句

用作副词 (adv.)

All arrangements for your stay overnight on September10 will, of course, be made by us at our expense.

当然,所有安排您在9月10日晚间夜宿的费用,将皆由本公司代为支付。

用作形容词 (adj.)

The actress won overnight fame with her first film.

这个女演员的第一部电影使她一举成名。

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substantial

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

adj.大量的；坚固的；实质的；可观的

n.本质；重要部份

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

New economic development policies led to substantial and rapid growth.

新的经济发展政策带来了快速和大量的增长。

Substantial profits accrue when sales take off.

当销售额突飞猛进之后，可观的利润就开始自然累积。

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global

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

adj.全球性的；总的；球状的

参考例句

用作形容词 (adj.)

The green campaign is a global phenomenon.

绿色运动是全球性的现象。

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faith

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.信仰；信念；信任

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Christians profess their faith when they say the Creed.

基督教徒在念信经时就表明了他们的宗教信仰。

 

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