Adenot details microgravity effects as ESA recovery begins
Adenot details microgravity effects while starting recovery at ESA training center in Cologne.
Event / Science
Sophie Adenot ISS Mission
French astronaut Sophie Adenot completed a 237-day mission aboard the International Space Station, conducting three spacewalks and 200 scientific experiments. Her achievement marks the longest continuous orbital mission by a European astronaut and makes her the first French woman to conduct extravehicular activities in space.
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2026-10-07 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Oct, 11:49 UTC
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What happened
Adenot describes physiological effects of weightlessness and recovery needs
Adenot explained that prolonged space exposure causes bone loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular deconditioning, and visual disturbances. She will require several months of targeted physical training to regain her pre-flight fitness level.
French astronaut Sophie Adenot lands in Pacific Ocean after 235 days in space
Sophie Adenot, a 44-year-old French astronaut, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Thursday afternoon after spending 235 days aboard the International Space Station. The re-entry journey lasted 27 hours, during which the capsule carrying four astronauts endured heavy waves for 25 minutes during water landing.
Sophie Adenot sets European record for longest continuous space mission
Sophie Adenot completed 235 consecutive days in space aboard the International Space Station, setting a new record for the longest continuous orbital mission by any European astronaut, male or female.
Adenot begins recovery program at ESA training center in Cologne
Sophie Adenot arrived at the European Space Agency training center in Cologne, Germany, on Saturday, October 10, where she will undergo a three-week recovery and rehabilitation program. The astronaut showed signs of physical weakness upon arrival and required assistance from two ESA physicians, though she chose to walk rather than use a wheelchair.
Adenot reflects on perspective of viewing Earth from orbit
During her public address at the ESA training center, Adenot stated that from 400 kilometers above Earth, there are no divisions or borders, only a precious shared planet. She described experiencing all human emotions during her eight months in space, from the most joyful to the most difficult.
Crew-12 astronauts successfully complete spaceflight
Four astronauts completed their mission aboard the ISS: French astronaut Sophie Adenot, American commander Jessica Meir, American Jack Hathaway, and Russian Andreï Fediaïev. The crew launched in February 2026 and returned safely on October 8, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
French astronaut Sophie Adenot returns from eight-month ISS mission
French astronaut Sophie Adenot completed an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station as part of the Crew-12 mission. She splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off California on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after a 27-hour journey from the ISS. She then traveled to Cologne, Germany, where she arrived on Saturday, October 10, 2026, to begin post-flight recovery.
Sophie Adenot sets European record for longest continuous space mission
Sophie Adenot spent a total of 235 days in space during the Crew-12 mission, establishing a new record for the longest continuous orbital stay by a European astronaut of any gender. She was the first French woman to perform an extravehicular activity (spacewalk).
Sophie Adenot begins three-week recovery program at ESA training center
Following her return to Earth, Sophie Adenot arrived at the European Space Agency's astronaut training center in Cologne, Germany, on October 10, 2026, to undergo approximately three weeks of post-flight recovery and rehabilitation. The program includes physical exercises to address bone density loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular deconditioning, and visual disturbances caused by prolonged exposure to microgravity.
Sophie Adenot undocks from International Space Station to begin return journey
Sophie Adenot's Crew-12 spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station on October 7, 2026, at 14:05 Paris time. The capsule carried four astronauts: Adenot, Americans Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, and Russian cosmonaut Andreï Fediaïev. The Crew Dragon Freedom capsule began a journey of approximately 27 hours to return to Earth.
Sophie Adenot begins physical rehabilitation program at European Space Agency center
Following her return to Earth, Sophie Adenot traveled to the European Space Agency's Centre for Astronauts in Cologne, Germany, to begin a multi-week physical rehabilitation program. The program is designed to counteract the physiological effects of prolonged microgravity exposure, including bone density loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular deconditioning, and vision changes. The recovery program includes targeted physical exercises, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy.
Sophie Adenot conducts 200 scientific experiments during ISS mission
During her eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station, Sophie Adenot conducted approximately 200 scientific and technological experiments. Notable experiments included EchoFinder, which enabled autonomous ultrasound imaging using augmented reality and artificial intelligence for potential use in future lunar missions; PhysioTool, which assessed cognitive and physiological adaptation to microgravity; and ChlorISS, an educational project shared with over 4,500 classes and 260,000 students on Earth studying the effects of light and gravity on plant growth.
French astronaut Sophie Adenot completes 237-day mission aboard International Space Station
Sophie Adenot, a French Air Force colonel, completed a mission of 237 days aboard the International Space Station, setting a new record for the longest continuous orbital mission by a European astronaut. She launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on February 13, 2026, from Cape Canaveral and orbited at an altitude of 400 kilometers. This was her first space mission and made her the second French woman in history to reach space.
Sophie Adenot performs three extravehicular activities totaling 19 hours and 42 minutes
Sophie Adenot conducted three spacewalks outside the International Space Station on August 18, August 25, and September 1, 2026, totaling 19 hours and 42 minutes. During these extravehicular activities at 400 kilometers above Earth, she removed a defective communications antenna, installed a new one, and performed general maintenance operations on the station. She became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk.
Crew-12 spacecraft splashes down in Pacific Ocean off California coast
The Crew Dragon Freedom capsule carrying Sophie Adenot and three fellow astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on October 8, 2026, at 17:34 Paris time (15:34 GMT). The capsule re-entered Earth's atmosphere at 28,000 kilometers per hour and was protected by a heat shield. The crew descended using parachutes in the final minutes of flight and was recovered by a specialized recovery vessel.
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2 alternative perspectives
Adenot lands in Pacific, secures European spaceflight duration record
Adenot lands safely, sets European record for longest continuous space mission duration.
Adenot begins three-week recovery at ESA training center
Adenot begins ESA-led three-week rehabilitation following her 237-day ISS mission.
Adenot completes mission, sets European record for space duration
Sophie Adenot returned from space and set a European record for longest continuous mission duration.
Adenot enters structured rehabilitation at ESA center post-mission
Adenot starts structured rehabilitation at ESA's Köln center after completing her ISS mission.
Adenot undocks from ISS, begins return journey to Earth
Adenot undocks from ISS; Crew-12 splashes down in Pacific Ocean off California.
French astronaut completes 237-day ISS mission with extensive research
Sophie Adenot finished her 237-day ISS mission with 200 experiments and three spacewalks.