Space Exploration Makes Big Difference in Small Business

TL;DR

Compass Coffee, a local coffee shop in Washington, DC, uses NASA technology to brew high-quality coffee and achieve consistency and precision in their roasting and espresso making processes.

Transcript

You know there’s more space in your life than you think. In fact in Washington, DC, two former Marines opened Compass Coffee, a local coffee shop and roaster that uses NASA technology to brew the perfect cup of coffee. It makes my life better when I drink a really good cup of coffee, and to know that NASA technology was involved in making this cup ... Read More

Key Insights

• ☕ Compass Coffee in Washington, DC, uses NASA-developed PID technology for consistency and precision in their coffee roasting and espresso making processes.
• 🍠 Near-infrared abridged spectrometers, similar to those used by NASA, are employed to measure the degree of roast in the coffee.
• ☕ The ISSpresso machine on the International Space Station provides astronauts with hot beverages, such as coffee and broth, for added comfort in space.
• 👨‍💼 NASA technology benefits small businesses by providing them with an edge in the market, efficiency, and quality products.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Compass Coffee use NASA technology in their coffee-making process?

Compass Coffee uses NASA-developed PID technology for consistency and precision in roasting and espresso making. This technology ensures consistent time temperature profiles in their roasting process and predicts the taste of each espresso shot.

Q: What technology does Compass Coffee use to measure the degree of roast in their coffee?

Compass Coffee uses near-infrared abridged spectrometers, similar to those used by NASA's Aqua satellite, to measure the amount of quinic acid in the coffee. Quinic acid has a linear relationship with the degree of roast, and by measuring it, Compass Coffee maintains the same degree of roast in each blend.

Q: How does the ISSpresso machine on the International Space Station benefit astronauts?

The ISSpresso machine allows astronauts to enjoy hot liquids, including coffee and broth, for the first time. This adds to their comfort and well-being during their time in space.

Q: What advantages does using NASA technology give Compass Coffee?

Utilizing NASA technology allows Compass Coffee to be more efficient and produce a higher-quality product. It sets them apart from larger companies and helps them compete in the competitive coffee industry.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Compass Coffee in Washington, DC, utilizes NASA-developed Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) technology for consistency and precision in their roasting process and espresso making.

• The coffee shop uses near-infrared abridged spectrometers, similar to those used by NASA's Aqua satellite, to measure quinic acid levels and ensure the same degree of roast in each blend.

• The newly launched ISSpresso machine on the International Space Station allows astronauts to enjoy hot liquids, including coffee and broth.