The European Space Agency (ESA) has welcomed home astronaut Sophie Adenot following her extensive expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). After spending 237 days in orbit, completing more than 3,700 laps around the Earth, Adenot successfully returned to the planet on October 8th, splashing down off the coast of California.
Record Flight and Return
Sophie Adenot’s mission marks the longest space journey undertaken by a European astronaut to date. After handing over her duties to the Crew-13 crew, Adenot and her Crew-12 colleagues undocked from the ISS on October 7th. The following day, their spacecraft safely landed, signifying the end of their prolonged stay in orbit.
Rehabilitation and Adaptation
Upon her return to Europe, Sophie Adenot will commence the process of collecting post-flight research data and undergoing rehabilitation. The astronaut faces a period of adaptation to Earth’s gravity after nearly eight months of experiencing weightlessness. Post-flight rehabilitation is a critical phase, aiding the body in restoring its functionality after an extended period in space.
Accompanying video footage showcases various moments from Sophie Adenot’s preparation and time in space, including her work with physiotherapy tools (PhysioTool), fitting her spacesuit, observing Earth, and training on specialized equipment (E4D).
