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In a routine activity aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Expedition 73 commander Takuya Onishi received a haircut in space from his crewmate Nichole Ayers. This highlights the daily life adjustments astronauts make while conducting long-duration missions in microgravity.
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers provides a haircut to JAXA crewmate Takuya Onishi aboard the International Space Station, April 13, 2025.
Space Station Haircut in Focus
One month into his second extended mission on the International Space Station, Expedition 73 Commander Takuya Onishi had his hair trimmed by fellow astronaut Nichole Ayers.
Onishi shared the image on social media, noting the difference in this haircut from a NASA astronaut compared to his prior experience with a Russian cosmonaut during his first ISS mission in 2016. He humorously remarked on the “different level of attention to detail” compared to his previous haircut from “Barber Anatoly.”
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Location: Harmony Node
Ayers’ improvised barbershop is situated in Node 2 “Harmony,” the central connecting module on the International Space Station.
Visible between Onishi, Ayers, and the open hatch are three of the four crew sleeping quarters within Harmony. The fourth sleep station is located in the “floor” section relative to the photo’s orientation.
Unique Aspects of Space Haircuts
On Earth, hair clippings are a minor concern, easily managed with a quick sweep. However, in the weightlessness of space, stray hairs can become problematic, potentially clogging ventilation systems or interfering with equipment. To counter this, a vacuum device is used to promptly capture hair clippings during the haircut.
On a positive note, Onishi mentioned the absence of a need for a smock and that post-haircut, “it’s refreshing and makes shampooing easier.”
Explore Further
For an additional perspective on orbital haircuts, you might be interested in observing Chinese astronauts receiving haircuts aboard their nation’s Tiangong space station. Furthermore, you can learn about an astronaut who used her haircut to support a charitable cause.