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In February 2026, the International Space Station welcomed a remarkable crew
that symbolizes the growing presence of women at the forefront of human spaceflight.
At the heart of this mission are two extraordinary astronauts:
Sophie Adenot, the second French woman in space, and Jessica Meir, a veteran NASA astronaut already famous for breaking barriers alongside Christina Koch.

Sophie Adenot: France’s New Star in Orbit
Born in 1982, Sophie Adenot is a helicopter test pilot, engineer, and colonel in the French Air and Space Force.
Selected by ESA in 2022 as part of the “Hoppers” class, she became the first from her group to fly in space.
On February 13, 2026, she launched aboard SpaceX Crew-12 (Crew Dragon Freedom)
from Cape Canaveral alongside NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, & Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev.
The capsule docked with the ISS on February 14, marking the official start of her epsilon mission — expected to last up to nine months, the longest ESA astronaut mission to date.

As mission specialist, Sophie will work in both the European Columbus module and the Japanese Kibo laboratory, conducting over 200 scientific experiments in microgravity.
Her mission represents a proud milestone for France — 25 years after Claudie Haigneré became the first French woman aboard the ISS.

Sophie brings not only technical excellence but also a spirit of curiosity and determination.
Her journey from test pilot to astronaut inspires a new generation of European women in STEM and space exploration.



Jessica Meir: Veteran of Historic Firsts
Jessica Meir, a marine biologist and NASA astronaut, has already etched her name in history.
In October 2019, she and Christina Koch performed the first all-female spacewalk — a groundbreaking 7-hour, 17-minute EVA that shattered gender barriers in space.
Now, in 2026, Jessica serves as commander of Crew-12, sharing the ISS with Sophie Adenot.


This marks another powerful moment: two women from different space agencies working side by side on long-duration operations.
Christina Koch, Meir’s partner in that historic 2019 spacewalk, is currently preparing for Artemis II — the first crewed mission to fly around the Moon since Apollo.
The friendship and collaboration between Meir and Koch continue to inspire, showing how pioneering women support each other across missions and generations.

A New Era of Women in Space The presence of Sophie Adenot and Jessica Meir together on the ISS in 2026 is more than symbolic
. It reflects the progress made since the early days of spaceflight, when women were excluded or limited to supporting roles.
Today, they command missions, conduct critical science, perform spacewalks, and pave the way for future lunar and Martian exploration.

From Sophie’s long-duration European mission to Jessica’s veteran leadership and her historic partnership with Christina Koch, these women embody courage, competence, and collaboration.
As they orbit 400 km above Earth, conducting research that benefits humanity,
they remind us that the future of space belongs to everyone
— regardless of gender or nationality.
Vive la France, and congratulations to these remarkable astronauts. The stars are brighter with you up there. Keep soaring!

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Sophie Adenot’s Triumph: 3 Spacewalks & a Safe Return to Earth
Sub-title: Honoring ESAs Trailblazing Astronaut,
Her 237-Day Mission & the Precision of Extravehicular Operations
by FPDieulois 10-10-2026

As I sit writing on dieulois.com, reflecting on the long line of stories that bring us to this 55th piece,
I feel a deep sense of awe for those who step out into the ultimate void.
My blog has always been a space to celebrate human courage, scientific rigor, and art—from classic cinema and painting to engineering milestones.
Today, our eyes turn back from the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn to our own home planet
as we welcome back European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot
following her phenomenal epsilon mission aboard the International Space Station.
After spending 237 days in microgravity and carrying out a record-setting operational run,
Adenot and her Crew-12 crewmates safely splashed down today.
Beyond her endless scientific experiments, she etched her name into spaceflight history
by executing three demanding Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) in a span of just three weeks.


Chapter 1: The Road to Orbit — Excellence in Engineering and Flight
Sophie Adenot’s journey to the stars is a masterclass in determination and technical mastery.
Long before donning her suit in the airlock of the space station, Adenot built an extraordinary career as a helicopter test pilot in the French Air and Space Force
—the 1st woman to hold that title in France—accumulating thousands of flight hours on search-and-rescue and high-altitude flight test missions.

Selected in 2022 as part of ESAs astronaut class, her transition from atmospheric flight to orbital operations was remarkably swift.
Over nearly 3 years of grueling preparation at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne,
NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, she mastered every system of the ISS.

When she launched on February 13, 2026, Adenot carried with her the aspirations of a generation.
Her mission, named epsilon after the 5th letter of the Greek alphabet—representing both the fifth French woman-led space endeavor
and a symbol of small, precise mathematical changes—showcased how rigorous engineering training translates seamlessly to orbital life.

Chapter 2: 3 Spacewalks in 3 Weeks — Mastering the Void
Spacewalks are widely regarded as the most physically and mentally grueling tasks an astronaut can perform.
Operating in a 140-kilogram pressurized Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) against the vacuum of space requires intense focus,
mechanical dexterity, and total trust in one's teammate.
Adenot didn't just participate; she excelled across three consecutive spacewalks in August and September 2026.

EVA 1 (August 18, 2026): Partnering with NASA astronaut Anil Menon, Adenot became the first French female astronaut to step into the void.
Over 6 hours and 23 minutes, they worked on the Z-1 truss structure to demount a failed Space-to-Ground Antenna (SGANT2).

EVA 2 (August 25, 2026): Returning outside just one week later, Adenot and Menon successfully completed the delicate installation and alignment
of the new high-gain antenna dish, restoring critical video communication bandwidth for the station.

EVA 3 (September 1, 2026): Demonstrating exceptional leadership, Adenot served as EV1 (Lead Spacewalker)—wearing the suit with red stripes—alongside NASAs Jessica Meir.
Leading the 6.5-hour maintenance mission, she guided the replacement of navigation retroreflectors and system upgrades on the station's exterior.

In less than a month, Adenot logged over 19 hours outside the station, handling complex orbital mechanics, robotic arm interactions with Canadarm2,
and intricate mechanical assemblies in zero-gravity with poise and skill.


Chapter 3: Returning Home — Science, Inspiration, and Gravity's Embrace
Beyond the exterior airlock, Adenot was a dynamo of scientific research.
During her 237 days in orbit, she conducted dozens of European and international experiments—
ranging from zero-g cardiovascular studies and plant growth in the ChlorISS project to testing psychological relaxation protocols like RelaxPro.
She shared this journey with over a million people on Earth through her engaging weekly science updates, bringing orbital physics into classrooms across Europe.

Today, after undocking aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon and enduring the fiery plasma of atmospheric re-entry, Sophie Adenot returned safely to Earth.
The transition from weightlessness back to 1G is a tough physical challenge;
as she enters her weeks of post-flight rehabilitation at the :envihab facility in Germany, she leaves behind an legacy of orbital accomplishment.

Adenot’s mission stands as a testament to what skill, perseverance, and international collaboration can achieve.
She showed us that floating among the stars is not just about exploring the unknown,
but about pushing the boundaries of what humans can construct, maintain, and discover together.

Closing Thoughts
Writing this 55th article feels like a warm salute across the miles from the shores of France to the return recovery teams in Europe.
From the deep thermal vacuum of her spacewalks to the quiet moments gazing through the ISS Cupola,
Sophie Adenot has inspired millions of us to look upward with pride.

She reminds us that behind every suit, every antenna repair, and every scientific payload is a human spirit fueled by curiosity and dedication.
Welcome home, Sophie—and thank you for taking us along on your incredible journey.

Thank you for reading this tribute on dieulois.com.
Let us continue to keep our eyes on the skies, our minds open, and our spirits curious.

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