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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration
@exploration.esa.int
4.2K followers 67 following 310 posts
Sharing news on Europe's human and robotic exploration, from astronaut training to the next giant leap to the Moon and Mars.
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Reposted by ESA Exploration
science.esa.int
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 12h
🆕Researchers combed through images from ESA's #MarsExpress & #ExoMars spacecraft to find 1039 swirling dust devils 🌪️

Using these dust devils to track raging winds on Mars, their findings include that the strongest winds blow much faster than we thought!

Read more 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 🧪 ☄️
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 18h
Step-by-step instructions for #1 and #2 in space 💩🚀
Infographic detailing the steps to use the toilet in space, depending on the astronaut's needs.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 18h
How do you use the toilet in space? 🚽🚀

The most frequently asked question in spaceflight history, answered! 😅

#LivingInSpace #WorldSpaceWeek #WSW2025
Infographic with facts and figures about using the toilet in space.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 1d
♻️ Recycling water in space is an engineering challenge.

🤓 If you're up for a geeky overview of how the system works in the US segment of the Space Station, we've got you covered.
Infographic about water recycling on the International Space Station, part 1. Infographic about water recycling on the International Space Station, part 2.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 1d
🚿 In space, you get half a litre of water daily to wash and brush your teeth, compared to the 50 litres you would use for a shower on Earth.

#LivingInSpace #WorldSpaceWeek #WSW2025
Infographic about water recycling on the International Space Station.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 1d
🚰 The International Space Station recycles up to 80% of its water.

👨‍🚀 Astronauts drink water recycled from their sweat, urine, and exhaled breath.

🧵 Discover how it works in this thread.

#LivingInSpace #WorldSpaceWeek #WSW2025
Infographic about water recycling on the International Space Station.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 2d
At the space dining table, astronauts use forks and spoons to eat and straws to drink in microgravity. Velcro keeps cutlery and containers stuck to the table 🍴🧃

All food is ready to eat or prepared by adding water or heating ♨️

#LivingInSpace #WorldSpaceWeek #WSW2025
Infographics illustrating the food to avoid at the dining table on the International Space Station.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 2d
There is no takeaway in space 🥡

The good news is that the space menu includes hundreds of food and drink options. Astronauts can choose based on their taste, available supply and yes, their mood 😋

#LivingInSpace #WorldSpaceWeek #WSW2025
Infographics detailing the space menu available on the International Space Station.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 2d
It's lunch time in space! Would you choose dried or canned food today? 🥫🫘

Here's an overview of the food types you can eat on the International Space Station.

#LivingInSpace #WorldSpaceWeek #WSW2025
Infographics detailing the types of food available on the International Space Station.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 5d
🤓 Learn more about the art of processing martian samples on the blog #ToMarsandBack: blogs.esa.int/to-mars-and-...
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 5d
📢 New episode featuring @esa's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover!

🍿 Watch the most sophisticated laboratory set to work on Mars in action. Like a factory floor, an automated sequence drives samples through the lab.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuh8...
Sample processing | ExoMars Rosalind Franklin mission (episode 4)
YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA
www.youtube.com
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Reposted by ESA Exploration
science.esa.int
ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 6d
Fly over Xanthe Terra with #MarsExpress 🛰️

🔴 Travel along a valley carved out some 3.5 billion years ago
🔴 Pass by impact craters
🔴 Go over lowlands once flattened by floodwaters

Enjoy the flight, and turn up the volume 🔊
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

🔭 #planetsci
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 7d
From inner to outer space. 🧗‍♀️🌍👨‍🚀

@esa.int astronaut Marco Sieber pauses to admire the heart of the cave he is about to explore.

This journey to the centre of Earth is part of his training for the challenges of spaceflight.

www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
From inner to outer space
From inner to outer space
www.esa.int
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
Science 🧪

The crew monitors the cave's changing environment and conducts science experiments, including microbial sampling and tracking radon and carbon dioxide levels.
MBRSC astronaut Mohammad AlMulla takes pictures of NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli while she conducts a microbiological investigation close to the base camp in the cave. JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa takes several measurements of the water in the cave and records them in the Electronic Field Book.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
Sleeping quarters ⛺️

Astronauts live and work in close quarters. This forces the crew to confront personal and intercultural differences, and find solutions if disagreements arise.
After a long day in the cave, it's time for the crew to sleep in the hammocks.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
Communications ☎️

The crew can establish contact with the teams outside the cave twice a day using a rudimentary phone line cabled by themselves.

Effective communication is vital to plan and coordinate mission tasks, and also serves as an emergency line.
During their progress through the Cave, JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa and NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli place and check the phone line that allows communication with the outside world. During their progress through the Cave, JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa and NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli place and check the phone line that allows communication with the outside world.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
Cave food 🥫

Food variety is limited, and the menu mainly comprises dried and canned foods. Astronauts choose their meals beforehand during a food tasting exercise.
JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa and NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli prepare dinner for the entire crew. The crew of the ESA CAVES 2025 edition enjoying dinner at the campsite.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
Cavewalking for spacewalking 🧗‍♀️

Like during a spacewalk, 'cavenauts' use double tethering to remain securely attached at all times when climbing or descending walls.

The protective gloves astronaut wear to handle the cables and ropes reduce dexterity. The headlamp offers a limited field of view.
MBRSC astronaut Mohammad AlMulla and JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa advancing up, down and along the cave.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
How does cave exploration compare to spaceflight? 🧗‍♀️👨‍🚀

A thread 🧵👇
ESA astronaut Marco Sieber explores a cave chamber during the CAVES training course in Italy in September 2025.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 8d
🎙️🌍 Happy #InternationalPodcastDay! 🌍🎙️

Celebrate with our @esa.int Explores podcast — your audio gateway to Europe’s space story 🚀✨

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform: esa.int/About_Us/EAC...
📺 Or watch our video podcast episodes: youtube.com/@EuropeanSpa...
ESA Explores podcast
Tune into the sounds of space and other out of this world recordings with ESA Explores, an official ESA podcast. Meet the space makers as we journey across Europe and into the cosmos to build a future...
esa.int
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Reposted by ESA Exploration
eurospacehistory.bsky.social
European Space History @eurospacehistory.bsky.social · 9d
#OTD 29 September 1988, the MoU on cooperation on design and development of Space Station Freedom was signed by @esa.int and NASA (as was the first Intergovernmental Agreement for the Space Station signed by European countries, USA and Canada).

🔗 www.esa.int/esapub/bulle...

@exploration.esa.int
In this photograph NASA Deputy Administrator Dale Myers (on the left) and ESA Director General Reimar Lüst sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Space Station Freedom in Washington DC.
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 12d
Participants in the seventh CAVES edition are:

🧑‍🚀 Marco Sieber, @esa.int
👩‍🚀 Jasmin “Jaws” Moghbeli, NASA
👨‍🚀 Makoto Suwa, Japan’s space agency JAXA
👨‍🚀 Mohammad Al Mulla, Emirati space agency MBRSC
The caves 2025 crew during cave familiarisation training. From left to right, Marco Sieber (ESA), Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA), Mohammad AlMulla (MBRSC) and Makoto Suwa (JAXA).
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exploration.esa.int
ESA Exploration @exploration.esa.int · 12d
Before the cave: how a crew of four astronauts prepares for the underworld. 👨‍🚀🧗‍♂️

Explore. Document. Return safely. ✅

@esa.int's CAVES training kicks off in Italy: blogs.esa.int/caves/2025/0...
NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli places the communication cable that connects to the phone line along the walls of the cave. ESA astronaut Marco Sieber prepares the ropes before descending a rock cliff in La Cundra area, Italy. JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa takes several measurements of the water in the cave and records them in the Electronic FieldBook.
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Reposted by ESA Exploration
technology.esa.int
ESA Technology @technology.esa.int · 14d
🔴Moving around on Mars is tricky - its surface can be too rocky for a rover in one place, and too smooth for the navigation of a drone in another😬 During his internship with @esa.int, a robotics student investigated what would happen if a rover and a drone teamed up 🤖 🫱🏽‍🫲🏻 🚁 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
TU Delft student Dielof van Loon and his drone
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Reposted by ESA Exploration
operations.esa.int
ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15d
🌔 Every day, Earth is bombarded by tiny asteroids, most too small to even be detected. But what if we could study those impacting the Moon?

ESA's NELIOTA-III #HorizonEurope project closely monitors Moon impact flashes and just released its first observations.

www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
ESA’s new project to keep an eye on Moon strikes
Every day, Earth is bombarded by tiny asteroids and meteoroids, most too small to even be detected. But what if we could study these space rocks by watching their impacts on the Moon? A new ESA projec...
www.esa.int
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