French astronaut Sophie Adenot is scheduled to depart the International Space Station this week, ending a mission that has set a new European record for the longest continuous stay in orbit. After more than 230 days in space, Adenot will board the Crew-12 vehicle for the return journey to Earth, with a splashdown expected off the coast of the United States.
The mission, which began with a launch earlier this year, was originally slated to conclude sooner, but the return was postponed at least once before the current schedule was confirmed. During her time aboard the orbiting laboratory, Adenot conducted roughly 200 scientific experiments and completed three spacewalks, according to mission figures. Those activities spanned a range of research areas, from materials science to biology, contributing to ongoing studies that require the unique microgravity environment of the station.
Adenot’s stay surpasses the previous record for a European astronaut, making her the first woman from the continent to spend such an extended period in space. The milestone has drawn attention in France and across Europe, where space agencies have been expanding their human spaceflight programs. Her mission is part of a broader international effort involving multiple space agencies and commercial partners.
Returning from a long-duration spaceflight is not a simple matter. Upon landing, Adenot will begin a lengthy rehabilitation program designed to help her body readjust to Earth’s gravity. Prolonged exposure to weightlessness causes muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and changes in cardiovascular function, among other effects. Astronauts typically undergo weeks or months of physical therapy, medical monitoring, and gradual reconditioning before they can resume normal activities.
The recovery process will include guided exercise, neurological assessments, and support from medical teams. While the exact duration depends on individual health and mission length, the program is standard for astronauts returning from six-month or longer stays. Adenot’s experience will add to a growing body of data on how the human body responds to extended spaceflight, information that is critical as agencies plan future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Her return also marks the end of a mission that highlighted Europe’s participation in the International Space Station partnership. The station, which has been continuously occupied for more than two decades, serves as a platform for research that cannot be conducted on Earth. Experiments performed by Adenot and her crewmates will continue to be analyzed by scientists in the coming months and years.
As the Crew-12 capsule undocks and begins its descent, teams on the ground will track its progress before recovery vessels move in to retrieve the crew. Once safely aboard, Adenot will face a period of physical and psychological adjustment, a transition that has been well documented by previous long-duration flyers. Her record-setting mission is expected to inform future European astronaut assignments and training regimens.