Trimmed Among the Stars: April 17, 2025 – Discover Haircuts in Space!

A month into his second long stay at the International Space Station, Takuya Onishi got a haircut from his crewmate, Nichole Ayers. This wasn’t just any haircut; it sparked some fun comparisons. Onishi took to social media to share how different it was from his previous experience with a Russian cosmonaut in 2016. He noted, “A different level of attention to detail than when I went to Barber Anatoly last time.”

The haircut took place in Node 2 “Harmony,” the station’s utility hub. You can spot three of the four crew sleep stations in the background of the photo Onishi shared.

In space, haircuts come with unique challenges. Unlike on Earth, where hair can just fall to the ground, floating hair in space can be problematic. It can drift away and clog air vents or interfere with equipment. To solve this, astronauts use a vacuum to quickly collect hair after cutting it. Onishi pointed out that the lack of a smock makes the process a bit more refreshing, and he found it easier to wash his hair afterward.

Interestingly, in 2022, a study showed that astronauts reported feeling more refreshed after personal grooming in space. This includes haircuts, which helped improve their mood and readiness for the tasks ahead.

Haircuts on the International Space Station highlight how even small routines can have big implications for well-being in space. It’s a quirky reminder that day-to-day life continues in microgravity, no matter the setting.

For those curious, you can also check out how Chinese astronauts manage their haircuts aboard the Tiangong space station. It’s fascinating to see how different space agencies handle similar challenges!



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