Zero-gravity coffee cup

Science

Astronaut Dr. Don Pettit demonstrates what is likely the most convenient method for enjoying a beverage in space – using a simple cup with airplane-wing-like shape which uses a liquid’s surface tension to draw the beverage evenly towards the mouth –

When Dr. Don Pettit lived aboard the International Space Station in 2002, he became known for his “Saturday Morning Science” sessions, during which he would demonstrate really cool, simple microgravity experiments.

Earlier this month, Pettit returned to space, this time as member of space shuttle Endeavour’s crew on a mission to upgrade the outpost. After 10 days of hard work, the STS-126 crew got some time off Sunday morning and Pettit took the opportunity to film a special episode of Saturday, err, Sunday Morning Science.

Not sure if it’s safe enough to use around a sensitive control panel, but very cool all the same. – Sunday Morning Science

4 thoughts on “Zero-gravity coffee cup

  1. justDIY says:

    ok, so instead of sucking coffee or whatever, from a bag via a straw, you suck it from the corner of an airfoil shaped “cup”. I noticed several times little spheres of coffee breaking loose and floating away. I don’t really see how this is better than the bag and straw.

  2. Khendar says:

    Actually what you are seeing are video compression artifacts, not droplets of liquid floating away.

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