First Ascent Coffee Roasters Launches Into Space

October 5, 2022

The next frontier for the Colorado-based speciality coffee roaster is aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station

(OCT 5, 2022 – CRESTED BUTTE, CO) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – With its dedication to providing the highest quality and best tasting instant coffee to adventurers around the world, speciality roaster First Ascent’s instant coffee is often enjoyed in the backcountry and on big walls. This fall, it will also be enjoyed by astronauts in outer space. Approximately 250 servings of First Ascent’s handcrafted Dawn Patrol instant coffee are aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station, which is set to launch today Wednesday October 5th, at 12 p.m. EDT.

The journey to fueling astronauts in outer space started over a year ago for the Crested Butte, CO based company. “In August 2021, I received an email asking if we could do large batches of coffee,” says Sam Higby, co-owner of First Ascent. “It seemed like a fairly generic question and sales lead until I noticed the ‘nasa.gov’ domain name, which definitely piqued my curiosity.”

The next day, Higby found himself on the phone with the astronaut-to-be, who was lamenting about the sub-par instant coffee options available at the Space Food Systems Laboratory. After discussing the possibility of First Ascent going to space, sending samples out, and being taste-tested against other potential options, First Ascent received an order & shipped out 256 eight-ounce servings of its popular Dawn Patrol blend.

With the lack of gravity in space and the inability to pour hot water directly into a cup, preparing and drinking coffee in space looks a little different: the instant coffee grounds are repackaged in individual foil pouches with a valve on one end. The astronaut pulls the pouch out of their locker, applies a straw, adds hot water, shakes, and drinks.

Knowing astronauts will be fueling up with their coffee is something the First Ascent team is incredibly proud of. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling knowing that astronauts are going to be sipping our coffee at the International Space Station,” says Higby. “We’ve all wondered what it would be like to go to outer space. Now in our own way, we get to be there.”

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About First Ascent Coffee Roasters

Named ‘Best All-Around Instant Coffee’ by Outside Magazine, First Ascent Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster serving the outdoor community with its premium, handcrafted instant coffee. All of First Ascent’s roasting, brewing, freeze-drying, and packaging is done in Crested Butte, Colorado. With all phases of production happening under one roof, the result is the freshest, highest quality, and best tasting instant coffee on the market. Available in single-serve packets and in bulk expedition packs, First Ascent’s instant coffee can be purchased in select Colorado stores and online, with free shipping to anywhere in the US. For more information, visit https://www.firstascentcoffee.com.

Contact Information:

Maria Hennessey

SMAK Strategies

maria@smakstategies.com

303.859.3317