ESA Top Multimedia

Raging wildfires near Madrid, Spain

Fires rage near Bordeaux, France

These images by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, captured on 26 July, show the area to the west of Bordeaux, France, where wildfires continue to burn countryside, fanned by wind and heatwave conditions.

Food Processor, a culinary robot in orbit

This video was published on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the following caption:

[English] Day 161, orbit 2497 — Cooking in space is sooooo joyful! It’s funny how little things, like gathering a mixing bowl and cooking supplies, can unlock all kind of memories – familiar gestures, smells and flavours. On Earth I sometimes wish I didn’t have to cook, but after months of ready-made meals (no matter how nutritious and tasty they are), the act of preparing a meal is a huge joyful experience!

In 2023, during his Huginn mission, Andreas was the first astronaut to use this culinary robot to prepare a chocolate mousse, which is quite challenging because of its airy texture. Food processor is a technology demonstrator: the goal is to show that preparing meals in microgravity is feasible, first using ingredients produced on Earth, and one day, with vegetables grown in space.

Congratulations to the French teams who did a fantastic job! Even before I started mixing the ingredients, the smell was tantalizing… The recipe, a Mediterranean Duo consisting of eggplant puree and hummus, tastes like a home-cooked meal made with fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs. It’s funny because whenever French gastronomy is on the menu, nobody’s late at the dinner table and everyone’s 150% delighted!

After four months in space, it’s clear to me that France has unique expertise in preparing meals that are both delicious and nutritious for space exploration. I hope the current partners will continue to showcase French gastronomy, and why not, take the lead in this area!

[French] Jour 161, orbite 2497 — Cuisiner dans l’espace, c’est un vrai moment de joie ! C’est drôle de voir à quel point de petites choses, comme sortir un bol mélangeur ou préparer des ingrédients, peuvent faire remonter tant de souvenirs – des gestes familiers, des odeurs et des saveurs qui rappellent la maison. Sur Terre, je n’ai pas toujours envie de cuisiner, mais après plusieurs mois de plats prêts à consommer (aussi bons et équilibrés soient-ils), le simple fait de préparer un repas procure un bonheur intense.

Le robot culinaire Food Processor a été utilisé pour la première fois par Andreas en 2023 pendant sa mission Huginn. Il avait préparé une mousse au chocolat, un défi de taille compte tenu de la texture souhaitée, légère et aérienne. Food Processor est avant tout un démonstrateur technologique : l’idée est de montrer qu’il est possible de préparer des repas en micropesanteur, d’abord avec des ingrédients venus de la Terre, puis, un jour, avec des légumes cultivés directement dans l’espace.

Un immense bravo aux équipes françaises qui ont développé cette technologie ! Avant même de commencer à mélanger les ingrédients, les arômes étaient déjà très prometteurs. Au menu : un Duo Méditerranéen, composé d’un caviar d’aubergine et d’un houmous. Le résultat ? Un goût de cuisine maison, avec des ingrédients frais et de délicieuses herbes aromatiques.

Il y a une chose qui me fait toujours sourire : lorsque la gastronomie française est au menu, personne tout le monde est à l’heure pour le repas et l’enthousiasme est 150% garanti !

Après quatre mois passés dans l’espace, il me paraît évident que la France possède un savoir-faire unique lorsqu’il s’agit de concevoir des repas à la fois savoureux, équilibrés et adaptés aux défis de l’exploration spatiale. J’espère que les partenaires engagés aujourd’hui continueront à faire rayonner cette la gastronomie française et à ouvrir la voie de la nutrition spatiale!

Why total solar eclipses are so special

More than 2500 years ago, a total solar eclipse is said to have ended a war between the Lydians and the Medes. Today, we understand the science behind eclipses, but witnessing one is still one of the most awe-inspiring experiences on Earth.

In this video, discover how solar and lunar eclipses happen, why totality is so rare, and what makes a total solar eclipse so extraordinary. From ancient legends to modern ESA missions studying the Sun's corona, discover the science behind one of nature's greatest spectacles.

Discover more about the three European eclipses of 2026–2028 here.

Earth from Space: Agricultural patchwork

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over Australia’s southwestern corner in the Goldfields–Esperance region of Western Australia.

Commissioning of Galileo L14 satellites

Changing the shower curtain on ISS

ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot shared this video on her social media channels with the caption:

[EN] Day 159, orbit 2466 — An astronaut's schedule is very diverse, and also includes housekeeping tasks to help take care of our orbital home – just like people on Earth take care of their homes. One of mine recently? Replacing old shower curtains with new ones!
What we call the shower is officially the hygiene area, located in JLP (Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurised Section). It's where we keep our toiletries and where we can enjoy a little privacy. But that's not the module's only purpose, so curtains have been installed to protect nearby equipment and catch any stray droplets of water while we wash with wet towels or shampoo our hair.
As the curtains dry, the water they collect evaporates and the humidity is recycled by the Station's systems. Other substances, however – such as soap and shampoo – remain behind. Over time, the curtains become less and less pristine… so every now and then, we change them!

[FR] Jour 159, orbite 2466 — Les journées d’un astronaute sont très variées, et comprennent aussi des tâches pour prendre soin de notre station spatiale, tout comme chacun prend soin de son chez-soi sur Terre ! Récemment, j’ai ainsi remplacé de vieux rideaux de douche par des neufs !
Ce que nous appelons la « douche » est l’équivalent fonctionnel d’une salle de bains – elle se trouve dans le module logistique japonais (JLP). Chacun y garde ses affaires de toilette, et on peut s’y isoler le temps de se laver. Vu que ce n’est pas la seule fonction de ce module, des rideaux ont été installés pour protéger les équipements à proximité et recueillir les éventuelles gouttelettes d’eau qui pourraient s’échapper pendant la toilette ou le shampoing.
Lorsque les rideaux sèchent, l’humidité est recyclée par les systèmes de la Station. D’autres substances, en revanche – comme le savon ou le shampoing – restent sur le tissu. Avec le temps, les rideaux deviennent de moins en moins propres… et finissent par être remplacés !

Artemis II crew at ESTEC

The four Artemis II astronauts visited ESTEC, ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands, on 13 July as the first stop in a series of post-flight visits to the European teams that made their mission possible.

The day included a visit to the Eagle mission control room, where ESA and Airbus engineers monitored the European Service Module around the clock throughout Artemis II. There, astronauts met some of the ESA specialists who had supported their flight from Earth.

ESA Academy’s Navigation Training Course

From 22-26 June 2026, 30 university students from Europe and Canada came together at the European Space Agency (ESA) Academy’s Training and Learning Facility in Belgium to explore the fundamentals of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). This annual course prepares the next generation of navigation professionals with lectures from experts and hands-on exercises where students can apply their new knowledge. In this video, students and lecturers from the 2026 edition of the training course talk about the importance of satellite navigation, including Europe’s Galileo system, in their own words.

Our Sun, Solar Orbiter, and listening to solar fireworks – Expedition Sound episode 1

Guided by a sonification created with data from ESA's Solar Orbiter mission, we explore some of the mysteries of our Sun, how Solar Orbiter is studying them, and how sound can make astronomy more accessible.

In this episode of Expedition Sound, we set off on our first journey of this podcast series and travel to the Sun – our familiar, friendly neighbourhood star.

Along the way, we meet one of Solar Orbiter’s project scientist Miho Janvier, who helps us uncover the science behind solar flares, the solar cycle, and the mysteries that scientists are still trying to solve about the Sun. We also hear from Nic Bonne, a blind astronomer and science communicator at the University of Portsmouth, about how sonification can open new doors to astronomy and create richer ways for everyone to experience the Universe.

Hosted by Zsófi Szalavári

Check out the sonification here.

Learn more about ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission.

Learn more about ESA’s Smile mission.

Find out more about Nic Bonne’s Tactile Universe project.

Many thanks to Klaus Nielsen (DTU Space / Maple Pools) for making the sonification in this episode. If you would like to hear more sonifications and music by this artist, please visit: https://linktr.ee/maplepools

Original theme music produced by Marci Szalavári.

Replay of the online media briefing on the total solar eclipse

ESA experts explain the science of eclipses, including visibility and key opportunities for scientific observation.

First 14 July in orbit

This video was published on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the following caption: Jour 150, orbite 2336 — Joyeux 14 juillet à toutes et à tous !

8 things to know about this year’s solar eclipse

From the path of totality and the spectacular Baily's beads to why this eclipse will be especially beautiful at sunset, discover what makes the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse so special.

Featuring ESA Reserve Astronaut Sara García Alonso and ESA Astronaut Candidate Pablo Álvarez Fernández.

Spanish

Aquí presentamos 9 cosas que debes saber sobre el eclipse solar total de este año.

Desde la franja de totalidad y las espectaculares perlas de Baily hasta qué hará este eclipse aún más especial al atardecer, descubre por qué el eclipse solar total del 12 de Agosto 2026 será tan único!

Con Sara García Alonso, astronauta de reserva de la ESA, y Pablo Álvarez Fernández, astronauta de la ESA en formación.

Veggie: Growing plants for science

This video was published by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot on social media with the following caption:

Day 144, orbit 2233 — Many of you noticed the pink glow in the recent timelapses done in Columbus…That’s thanks to Veggie , the International Space Station’s vegetable production system — our little space garden! The Veggie chamber glows magenta-pink because it emits a light spectrum that’s perfect for plant growth!

During Expedition 74, Veggie hosted the Veg-06 experiment, with two main goals: to study how alfalfa plants and beneficial bacteria work together in microgravity to capture nitrogen from the air and turn it into nutrients plants can use… and to look at how lignin – the material that helps plants stand upright on Earth – changes in space.

The alfafa plants were successfully grown – watered and nurtured by all of us – then harvested (aerial parts and roots) and stowed in a freezer. They were sent back to Earth for further analysis on board the CRS SpX‑34 cargo Dragon.

For us, working on Veggie is a real taste of home – a reminder of what a garden looks and smells like. There’s something very special about watching the plants grow and caring for them day after day. I loved working on this experiment

It is clear that being able to grow fresh food in space will be crucial for long exploration missions, not just for nutrition, but for crew morale as well. A better understanding of nitrogen fixation is also key to improving soil quality on Earth, while studying lignin may benefit agriculture and forestry in the long run. Go science!

Jour 144, orbite 2233 — Vous avez été nombreux à faire des commentaires sur l’ambiance rose dans les récents timelapses réalisés dans Columbus… Le responsable : Veggie , notre petit jardin à bord de la Station spatiale internationale ! La lumière rose-magenta caractéristique de Veggie provient des LED qui diffusent un spectre lumineux idéal pour la croissance des plantes.

Pendant l’Expédition 74, Veggie a accueilli l’expérience Veg-06, qui avait deux principaux objectifs. Premièrement, étudier comment la luzerne et des bactéries symbiotiques collaborent en micropesanteur pour capter l’azote présent dans l’air et le transformer en nutriments assimilables par les plantes. Deuxièmement, comprendre comment évolue la lignine, le matériau qui aide les plantes à se tenir droites sur Terre, lorsqu’elles poussent dans l’espace.

Les plants de luzerne ont bien poussé, arrosés et entretenus par l’ensemble de l’équipage! Ils ont ensuite été récoltés (parties aériennes et racines), stockés dans un congélateur puis renvoyés sur Terre à bord du vaisseau-cargo Dragon CRS SpX-34 afin d’être analysés plus en détail.

Pour nous, travailler sur Veggie, c’est retrouver un petit coin de Terre dans l’espace – un précieux rappel visuel et olfactif de ce qu’est un jardin… C’est très touchant de voir les plantes grandir et de s’en occuper au fil des jours. J’ai adoré travailler sur cette expérience

Il sera essentiel pour les futures missions d’exploration de longue durée d’avoir cette capacité de production d’aliments frais , non seulement pour l’alimentation, mais aussi pour le moral des équipages. Mieux comprendre le mécanisme de fixation de l’azote, c’est la possibilité d’améliorer la qualité des sols sur Terre, et l’étude de la lignine pourrait bénéficier à long terme à l’agriculture et à la foresterie.

Vive la science !

Checkout and activation of E4D

Following its arrival on board the International Space Station, Sophie completed the checkout and activation of the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D), marking the start of a two-year technology demonstration led by ESA in Columbus. During this period, astronauts will evaluate the device's design, operational performance and effectiveness in counteracting the physical deconditioning caused by life in microgravity.

Sophie's first rowing session on E4D

Following its installation on board the International Space Station, Sophie began testing the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D), marking the start of a two-year technology demonstration led by ESA in Columbus. During this period, astronauts will evaluate the device's design, operational performance and effectiveness in counteracting the physical deconditioning caused by life in microgravity.

ESA’s first dedicated chemical propulsion laboratory opens

ESA’s first dedicated green propulsion test facility is now operational The Chemical Propulsion Laboratory (CPL) facility has been built for ESA, academia and industry use. It is dedicated to propulsion technologies for small satellites and small missions rather than large rocket engines. It will provide accessible rapid-turnaround testing and make specialist test infrastructure accessible to SMEs and academia. CPL is there to de-risk small propulsion developments and speed progress to the next stage. The facility is operated through an ESA–NLR collaboration.

Euclid discovers the most ancient quasars in the Universe

In March 2026 the European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope discovered 31 of the most ancient quasars ever found, more than doubling the number of quasars we know of that are so old. Two of these giant, dazzling, black hole-powered galaxy cores are older than any we’ve seen before. These cosmic elders shone with the light of a trillion Suns back when the Universe was 670 million years old – just 5% of its current age.

This timelapse was published on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the following caption:

Day 139, orbit 2155 — After the pictures (available in HD on my Flickr account), I'm so happy to finally share the timelapse of the most spectacular aurora of the εpsilon mission so far!

Watching this glowing green ribbon shimmer and dance, it's easy to lose yourself completely in the magic of the moment. Turn the sound on for the full experience – the music was carefully chosen to bring you as close as possible to what I felt watching this from space .

Jour 139, orbite 2155 – Après les photos (disponibles en HD sur mon compte Flickr), je suis très heureuse de pouvoir enfin partager avec vous le timelapse de l’aurore la plus spectaculaire (jusqu’à présent !) de la mission εpsilon !

Difficile de ne pas céder à la magie de l’instant en regardant ce ruban de lumière verte onduler et danser sous nos yeux... Activez le son pour vivre pleinement l’expérience : la musique a été choisie avec soin pour évoquer les émotions que j’ai ressenties en admirant ce spectacle depuis l’espace

3D-printed metal

This video was published by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot on social media with the following caption:

Day 133, orbit 2063 — In this timelapse, I’m retrieving the fourth sample printed with the first 3D metal printer ever sent to space, ESA’s Metal 3D printer… and getting everything ready for the next printing session! Before opening the printer, the procedure requires putting on safety goggles and a mask, just in case there are any floating nanoparticles.

3D printers are far from being simple gadgets. They aim at increasing crew autonomy, which will be even more crucial during future exploration missions, when resupply will be far more difficult than it is in low Earth orbit. With 3D printing, we could manufacture spare parts or tools on demand!

On Earth, this printer weighs about 180 kg. In orbit, it weighs nothing – but its mass hasn’t disappeared. When I handled it, its inertia made it very clear that it is heavy

Full disclosure: as often happens in extreme environments, emotions are heightened… I felt a huge sense of joy using this electric screwdriver, which we very rarely use onboard the ISS. Since I love tinkering, it genuinely made me really, really happy haha! It reminded me of what I love doing back on Earth!

Jour 133, orbite 2063 – Dans ce timelapse, je récupère le 4e échantillon imprimé à l’aide de la première imprimante 3D metal envoyée en orbite, l’imprimante Metal 3D de l’ESA… et je prépare la suivante! Avant d’ouvrir, la procédure stipule de mettre des lunettes de sécurité et un masque, au cas où il y aurait des nanoparticules de métal en suspension suite à l’impression.

Loin d’être un gadget, les imprimantes 3D permettent d’augmenter l’autonomie des équipages – ce sera d’autant plus important lors de missions d’exploration, pendant lesquelles il sera beaucoup plus difficile d’être ravitaillé qu’en orbite terrestre. Ces imprimantes ouvrent la possibilité de fabriquer ses propres pièces de rechange ou outils , en fonction des besoins !
Sur Terre, cette imprimante pèse environ 180 kg. En orbite, elle ne pèse plus rien – mais sa masse, elle, n’a pas disparu. Et quand je la manipule, son inertie me le rappelle immédiatement : c’est du lourd
Petite confidence : comme souvent dans les environnements extrêmes, les émotions sont décuplées… ici, immense joie d’utiliser cette visseuse électrique qu’on utilise que très rarement à bord de l’ISS. Vu que j’adore bricoler, cela m’a vraiment fait super hyper plaisir de l’utiliser haha ! Et ça m’a rappelé ce que j’aime faire sur Terre !

Global sea surface temperatures break June records

The average sea surface temperature has passed the records set in June 2023 and June 2024, according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation programme.

This animation shows the sea surface temperature anomaly detected in June 2026, compared to the average for the period 1991-2020, with dark red indicating temperatures that exceed the average by up to 6°C.

Data for the animation is provided by the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS). Data for 1-29 June 2026 is compared to data for 1991-2020 from a high-resolution, satellite-derived dataset created by the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (ESA-CCI).

The record-breaking temperatures were announced today by Copernicus, in a statement that pinpointed Sunday, 21 June, as the day when sea surface temperatures surpassed the daily averages in past years, with temperatures reaching 21°C – a 0.1 °C increase on previous records.

This global animation indicates a large surface temperature rise in the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and off the coasts of Northern Canada, as well as higher ocean surface readings in bands across the Pacific Ocean. The unusually warm surface waters developing across the tropical Pacific Ocean indicate the beginning of El Niño.

This image shows sea surface temperature anomalies in the Mediterranean Sea on 29 June 2026.

Thousands of planets are hidden in this photo

Millions of stars. Thousands of hidden worlds. One unprecedented view of our galaxy.

Three years since launch, ESA’s Euclid space telescope reveals the Milky Way galaxy’s centre in extraordinary detail: a mosaic of tens of millions of stars captured in just 26 hours.But this is more than an image. It is a map of stellar evolution, from dark clouds where stars are being born to ancient populations packed into the galactic bulge.

And hidden within this dense field of light are planets we cannot see directly.

Through gravitational microlensing, astronomers detect distant worlds by measuring tiny, temporary changes in light as stars pass in front of one another, revealing planets and even their masses through gravity alone.

Euclid, originally built to explore dark matter and dark energy, is now helping open a new window on our own galaxy, and the unseen worlds within it.

Vacuuming and dusting Columbus

Day 131, orbit 2028 — Being an astronaut on a space mission doesn’t mean you get out of vacuuming or dusting! A few weeks ago, I shared a timelapse of tidying up the European Columbus lab… and here’s another one – this time, it’s all about cleaning

On board the ISS, we pay special attention to the air vents. Every system that pulls in air is equipped with filters that trap dust, and we vacuum those to keep the airflow running smoothly.

So yes… every Saturday, it’s cleaning day: cloths and vacuum out! And I’m sure some of you are wondering: just like everything else up here, each task is scheduled by the planners on the ground.

So to all the kids reading this: astronauts definitely have to put everything back where they found it and to do their chores ‍ , even on board a spaceship!

À bord de l’ISS, on porte une attention particulière au nettoyage des grilles de ventilation. Chaque système qui aspire l’air est doté de filtres qui captent la poussière. Ce sont eux qu’on nettoie avec l’aspirateur pour garder un fonctionnement optimal de la ventilation.

Du coup, tous les samedis, c’est chiffon et aspirateur ! Et je suis sûre que vous vous posez la question : comme pour toutes les activités, ce sont les planificateurs au sol qui mettent cette activité sur notre emploi du temps.

Alors à tous les enfants qui me lisent : être astronaute ‍ , c’est aussi devoir ranger chaque chose à sa place… et faire le ménage à bord de son vaisseau spatial !

Sophie Adenot's mid-mission highlights

Sophie is halfway through the εpsilon mission onboard the ISS, and she has already accomplished so much. Between hundreds of hours of scientific research and thousands of photographs taken from space, she has taken the time to share many unforgettable moments with us — inspiring millions along the way on social media.

Installing NEMUCO in BioLab

This video was published on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the following caption:

Day 122, orbit 1892 — In this timelapse, I’m installing the European NEMUCO experiment in the BioLab facility of the Columbus laboratory module. Delivered by the CRS-34 cargo mission, NEMUCO explores how nerve and muscle cells develop and communicate in microgravity, compared to samples on Earth.

Without countermeasures – like two hours of daily exercise – astronauts’ muscles not only shrink but also lose strength and coordination. NEMUCO investigates, at the cellular level, how microgravity affects the formation of connections and stability between nerves and muscles, known as neuromuscular junction (NMJ). These are crucial for providing functional muscle!

Understanding these changes will help protect astronauts’ health on future missions and could also support improved therapies on Earth for rehabilitation, aging, and neurodegenerative neuromuscular diseases.

Go science!

Jour 122, orbite 1892 – Dans ce timelapse, j’installe l’expérience européenne NEMUCO dans BioLab, un équipement du module Columbus. Arrivée à bord du cargo CRS‑34, NEMUCO étudie la façon dont les cellules nerveuses et musculaires se développent et communiquent en micropesanteur comparé à des échantillons sur Terre.

Sans contre‑mesures – comme nos deux heures d’exercice quotidien – les muscles des astronautes ont tendance à fondre, mais aussi à perdre en force et en coordination. NEMUCO cherche à comprendre, au niveau cellulaire, comment la micropesanteur influence la formation et la stabilité des connexions entre nerfs et muscles = la jonction neuromusculaire, essentielle à un muscle pleinement fonctionnel !

Mieux comprendre ces mécanismes permettra de protéger la santé des astronautes lors des futures missions… et pourrait aussi contribuer à améliorer des thérapies sur Terre, notamment dans les domaines de la rééducation, du vieillissement ou pour certaines maladies neuromusculaires.

Vive la science !

Robotics at work: Dextre and Canadarm2

This timelapse shows operations by Dextre, a highly precise robotic “handyman” attached to the International Space Station’s robotic arm, Canadarm2.

Dextre is designed for delicate tasks such as repairs, maintenance, and handling small components. Canadarm2 can move around the Station and is used to capture visiting spacecraft and carefully position equipment or astronauts.

Both systems can be operated by astronauts on board the Station as well as by specialized robotics teams on the ground.

SpaceX CRS-34 approach and docking

This timelapse was published by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot on social media with the following caption:

Day 106, orbit 1644 — This timelapse shows the approach and docking of the SpaceX CRS‑34 resupply mission on 17 May. Isn’t it amazing to think that this docking manoeuvre takes place while flying at 28,000 km/h around the Earth?
The blurred dot in the middle of the picture is actually a micrometeoroid impact on the Cupola window… No worries, it’s been there for a long time !

Jour 106, orbite 1644 – Ce timelapse montre les phases d'approche et d’amarrage de la mission de ravitaillement SpaceX CRS‑34 le 17 mai. Incroyable de se dire que cette manœuvre d’amarrage s’effectue à 28 000 km/h autour de la Terre !
Le point flou au centre de l’image est un impact de micrométéoroïde sur le hublot de la Cupola… mais pas d’inquiétude, il n’est pas récent !

Installing MatISS-4, designed to trap atmospheric contaminants

This timelapse was published by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot on social media with the following caption:

Day 105, orbit 1629 — This accelerated video shows the installation of MatISS-4, a French experiment that aims to collect and study the biocontamination of the air inside the European Columbus module. Biocontamination – such as small skin cells, droplets from sneezes or saliva, and bacteria – is unavoidable, so we make sure to clean surfaces every week (I’ll publish a housekeeping timelapse soon!), but some areas are particularly hard to reach…

Over 10 years, MatISS has shown that the Station’s systems are very efficient; after several months of exposure, the contamination level inside the MatISS cases remains low. MatISS-4 features a new design, which will allow the contaminated membranes to be analysed at the European Synchrotron in Grenoble using an X-ray nano-imaging instrument. Go science!

MatISS has also enabled researchers to identify surfaces that are more resistant to biocontamination, opening up many applications on Earth: in public transportation, where thousands of people touch the same surfaces every day, in places where limiting contamination is key, such as hospitals, cruise ships, and submarines, and even in livestock farming. Less biocontamination = less cleaning with chemical products!

Jour 105, orbite 1629 – Cette vidéo accélérée montre l’installation de MatISS‑4, une expérience française qui vise à collecter et étudier la biocontamination de l’air à l’intérieur du module européen Columbus. La biocontamination – cellules de peau, éternuements, postillons, bactéries – est inévitable. Nous nettoyons les surfaces chaque semaine (je publierai bientôt un timelapse de ménage !), mais certaines zones sont particulièrement difficiles d’accès…

Depuis plus de 10 ans, MatISS démontre que les systèmes de la Station sont très efficaces ; après plusieurs mois d’exposition, le niveau de contamination à l’intérieur des boîtiers reste faible. MatISS‑4 présente un nouveau design, qui permettra d’analyser les membranes contaminées à l’aide d’un instrument de nano-imagerie X du synchrotron européen de Grenoble. Vive la science !

MatISS a également permis aux chercheurs d’identifier des surfaces plus résistantes à la biocontamination, ouvrant la voie à de nombreuses applications sur Terre : dans les transports publics, où des milliers de personnes touchent les mêmes surfaces chaque jour , dans les lieux où limiter la contamination est essentiel, tels que les hôpitaux, les navires de croisière et les sous‑marins, et même dans les élevages. Moins de biocontamination = moins de nettoyage avec des produits chimiques !

Artemis II splashdown

Today, at 17:07 local time (Pacific) on 10 April (01:07 BST/02:07 CEST on 11 April), NASA's Orion spacecraft and its crew splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, marking the successful end of the Artemis II mission, humankind's first journey around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

ESA's European Service Module powered the spacecraft over 1 million kilometres through in deep space, providing air and water for the astronauts, generating electrical power via its four solar arrays, maintaining thermal control and delivering propulsion.

Mostly built by European industry under ESA leadership, the European Service Module was assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen, Germany, with contributions from companies across 13 European countries, involving 20 main contractors and over 100 European suppliers.

Throughout the mission, European engineers supported operations around the clock from ESA's centres in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as alongside NASA teams in Houston, ensuring Orion and its crew completed their journey safely around the Moon and back home.

Orion Mission Evaluation Room in Houston

European engineers in the Orion Mission Evaluation Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

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