European Astronaut Sophie Adenot Returns to Earth After Record Spaceflight

European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot has returned to Earth after completing a long-duration mission on the International Space Station, ESA News reported. Adenot and her Crew-12 crewmates undocked from the orbiting laboratory on 7 October 2026 and splashed down off the coast of California the following day. Her mission spanned 237 days and included more than 3,700 orbits around Earth. [1]

According to ESA News, Adenot is now back in Europe to begin her post-flight data collection, rehabilitation, and physical readjustment. The mission marks the longest spaceflight conducted by a European astronaut to date. The crew completed a handover on the station to Crew-13 before their departure. [1]

Adenot was selected as part of the 2022 European Astronaut Corps class and holds the rank of colonel in the French Air and Space Force. She launched to the space station in February 2026 as part of SpaceX Crew-12 for Expedition 74/75. During her time in orbit, she became the first French woman to perform a spacewalk. [3]

Adenot became the first female helicopter test pilot in France in 2018. Born in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, France, in July 1982, she developed an early interest in aviation and space exploration before pursuing a career as an engineer and military pilot. [3][4]