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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ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet using MELFI to keep biological samples frozen on 05 June 2021.
Thomas shared this image on his social media channels with the caption: "Preparing for the departure of Cargo Dragon SpaceX CRS-22. Just before closing the hatch, we pack it full of our frozen bodily fluids: blood, urine, saliva... and more that I won't mention. Our bodies for science! The Dragon has working refrigerators on the home trip but we must be careful to not let the samples thaw out. Of course NASA thinks of everything and, we use these picnic cooler-like containers for transport. Our freezer cools to –80°C, so that is why we are wearing gloves!"
Follow Thomas and his Mission Alpha on his blog.