ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot returns to Earth after record ISS mission

European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot has returned to Earth following a record-breaking mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). After spending 237 days in orbit, Adenot arrived at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany, on October 10, 2026.

As part of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission, Adenot participated in numerous scientific experiments focused on human health, biology, physics, and space exploration technologies. During her tenure, she completed three spacewalks, totaling nearly 20 hours of extravehicular activity. Her mission, known as epsilon, concluded with a Dragon Freedom capsule splashdown off the coast of California on October 8.

Adenot’s 237-day stay establishes a new European record for the longest single mission in space, surpassing the previous record held by Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation and data collection to readjust to Earth's gravity.