The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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A New Year's haircut for ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti in the challenging weightlessness of the International Space Station. Samantha's ISS Expedition 42 crewmate, NASA astronaut Terry Virts, puts his pre-flight haircutting training into practice. Their Russian colleague Anton Shkaplerov assists with the vacuum cleaner, making sure that no hair cuttings float off.
Samantha posted updates about the haircut on Twitter. She started off saying: "New Year, time for a haircut. Setting up shop at 'Chez Terry'". Commenting on this image she said: "While master @AstroTerry cuts, apprentice @AntonAstrey is at the vacuum cleaner".
Samantha Cristoforetti is currently living and working on board the International Space Station as part of the six-strong Expedition 42 crew. Follow her Futura mission at samanthacristoforetti.esa.int.