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Astronauts on board the ISS have to give up many home comforts during their lengthy space missions - but now coffee doesn't have to be one of them. 

Samantha Cristoferetti has become the first astronaut to drink an authentic Italian espresso while in orbit.

She used a purpose built ISSpresso machine - the first capsule-based espresso system able to work in the extreme conditions of space. 

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Samantha Cristoferetti (pictured) has become the first astronaut to drink an authentic Italian espresso coffee while in orbit. She used a purpose built ISSpresso machine - the first capsule-based espresso system able to work in the extreme conditions of space

Ms Cristoferetti tweeted: '"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised." Fresh espresso in the new Zero-G cup! To boldly brew...'

In space, fluid dynamics differ from on Earth meaning its not possible to make hot drinks in the same way. 

The espresso maker is dubbed ISSpresso, inspired by the International Space Station's acronym.

Italian coffee giant Lavazza joined forces with Turin-based engineering company Argotec and the Italian Space Agency provided the specially designed machine for use off the planet. 

Nasa also had to certify its safety.

Ms Cristoferetti tweeted: '"Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised." Fresh espresso in the new Zero-G cup! To boldly brew...' It is the first coffee machine able to work in microgravity on the ISS, where the principles that regulate the fluid dynamics are different from those typical on Earth

It is the first coffee machine able to work in microgravity on the ISS, where the principles that regulate fluid dynamics are different from those typical on Earth.

It uses a 'capsule system' to fill plastic pouches with espresso and other hot drinks such as tea. This coffee is taken from the same Lavazza coffee capsules as those found on earth.  

The machine can also be used to rehydrate food.

In order to handle liquids at high pressure and high temperature in a space environment, the plastic tubing inside the machine has been replaced with a steel tubes designed to withstand pressure of more than 400 bar.

The ISSpresso machine uses a standard coffee capsule, which is posted in the top of the machine.

Water is aspirated and pressurised in a unique electrical system and is then heated.

The granules mix with the hot water and the coffee is piped into a pouch, which is securely fastened to the machine using a 'rapid coupling/uncoupling system.'

Once the coffee has been 'poured', a patented system cleans the final section of the hydraulic circuit and at the same time generates a small pressure difference inside the special pouch used as a space 'espresso cup', so that when the straw is inserted, all the aroma of the coffee is released. 

The pouch is made from a transparent material, making it possible to observe the cream directly as part of the fluid dynamic experiment being conducted, and to study the behaviour in space of liquids at high pressure and temperature.

The machine is much heavier than a normal model, which typically weighs 29lbs (13kg).

The space-bound machine weighs around 44lbs (20kg) because there are backups of all the critical components, for safety reasons, and in accordance with the specifications agreed upon with the ISA. 

The ISSpresso was delivered last month on board a SpaceX rocket. 

It was supposed to arrive in January, shortly after Ms Cristoforetti's arrival, so she could get some relief from the station's instant coffee.

But it ended up on the back burner after a station shipment from Virginia was lost in a launch explosion.

The ISSpresso machine (illustrated) uses a standard coffee capsule, which is posted in the top of the machine. Water is aspirated and pressurised in a unique electrical system and is then heated. The granules mix with the hot water and the coffee is piped into a pouch, which is securely fastened to the machine

Once the coffee has been 'poured', a patented system cleans the final section of the hydraulic circuit and at the same time generates a small pressure difference inside the special pouch (pictured) used as a space 'espresso cup', so that when the straw is inserted all the aroma of the coffee is released

The machine (pictured) is much heavier than a normal model, which typically weighs 29lbs (13kg). The space-bound machine weighs around 44lbs (20kg) because there are backups of all the critical components, for safety reasons, and in accordance with the specifications agreed upon with the Italian Space Agency

Italian-born Ms Cristoferetti (shown) took her first sip from an espresso pouch at 12.44 GMT yesterday

Italian-born Ms Cristoferetti took her first sip from the espresso pouch at 12.44GMT yesterday.

ISSpresso is one of the nine experiments selected by the Italian Space Agency for Samantha Cristoforetti's Futura Mission.  

Operations to support the experiment were supervised by the Argotec control center and monitored by the Italian Space Agency's control centres.  

'The experiment represents an advanced engineering project,' Italian Space Agency President Roberto Battiston said. 

'The result of a partnership between the public and private sectors which has produced innovative solutions that will not only have immediate psychological benefits for astronauts, but also generate an important economic return for Italian industry in the sector, promote its image and establish an advanced technology positioning for future space missions'.  

Nasa's space station program deputy manager, Dan Hartman, said it's all part of making astronauts feel at home as they spend months - and even up to a year - in orbit.

Already, Mission Control gives astronauts full access to email, phone calls, private video hookups, and live news and sports broadcasts.

'The psychological support is very, very important,' Mr Hartman told reporters following the delivery of the machine. 

Italian coffee giant Lavazza joined forces with Turin-based Argotec and the Italian Space Agency to provide the specially designed machine (prototype pictured) for use off the planet. Nasa also had to certify its safety

Hovering up to 270 miles (435 km) above the Earth, the International Space Station (pictured) is a long way from home and astronauts have reported missing creature comforts such as coffee and beer

He continued: 'If an espresso machine comes back and we get a lot of great comments from the crew... It's kind of like the ice cream thing, right, when we fly ice cream every now and then. 

'It's just to boost spirits. Maybe some rough day, a scoop of ice cream gets them over that hump kind of thing.'

The SpaceX Dragon supply ship also held experiments for Nasa's one-year space station resident Scott Kelly, who moved in at the start of April. 

Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko also will remain on board until March 2016. 

Astronaut gives tour of International Space Station (related)