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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The body of ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer is the subject of several science studies during his stay on the International Space Station. The thermal sensor strapped to his forehead monitors his core temperature and circadian rhythm for the Thermo-Mini experiment. Radiation is another well-known space hazard. Matthias dotted 21 Dosis 3D radiometers around the Station to get an overview of where radiation is most prominent. He placed 10 pouches inside the Columbus lab, and scattered a few others in other locations to build a three-dimensional map of the radiation environment.
He tweeted this picture with the following caption: "I felt a bit like Santa Claus dishing out Dosis-3D radiation monitors in the Space Station. My headwear's a bit different though. It monitors my core body temperature for the experiment Thermo-Mini."