# Sophie Adenot ISS mission and return > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sophie-adenot-iss-mission-and-return > Updated: 2026-10-12T21:23:58.000Z. Sources: 59. Developments: 6. French ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot has completed her record-breaking Epsilon mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As part of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission, Adenot, a Colonel in the French Air Force, spent 237 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest continuous orbital stay by a European astronaut, surpassing the previous record of 201 days held by Luca Parmitano. During her tenure, Adenot conducted approximately 200 scientific experiments, including studies on stem cells, crystal growth, and the effects of microgravity on the human body. She also became the first French woman to perform a spacewalk, completing three extravehicular activities totaling nearly 20 hours, including an August 18 mission to install a communication antenna. On October 7, 2026, Adenot undocked from the ISS via a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named ‘Freedom’, alongside Americans Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, and Russian Andrey Fedyaev. The capsule successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego/Los Angeles on October 8. This mission was notably intended to replace a previous crew following a medical evacuation, marking a first for NASA in 65 years of human spaceflight. Following the splashdown, the crew underwent medical evaluations. While the American astronauts were transported to Houston, Texas, Adenot arrived at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, on October 10. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation and data collection to readjust to Earth's gravity. Reflecting on her mission, she described the experience of observing Earth from space as “precious” because “no divisions or borders are seen.” ## Claims - If the schedule holds, the crew could splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. (reported by 3 sources) - The SpaceX Dragon capsule landed in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California. (reported by 3 sources) - NASA postponed the Crew-12 mission undocking due to weather and sea conditions off the California coast. (reported by 3 sources) - The mission undocking is now targeted for Wednesday, October 7, at the earliest. (reported by 3 sources) - Sophie Adenot has spent nearly eight months aboard the International Space Station. (reported by 3 sources) - Adenot holds the record for the longest space mission by a European astronaut. (reported by 3 sources) - The Crew-12 crew includes Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, and Andrey Fedyaev. (reported by 3 sources) - Sophie Adenot returned to Earth after spending 235 to 237 days in space. (reported by 2 sources) - The previous European record was held by Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, who spent 201 days in orbit. (reported by 2 sources) - Sophie Adenot is the first French woman to perform a spacewalk. (reported by 1 source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot returns to Earth after record ISS mission ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot has returned to Earth after a record-breaking 237-day mission aboard the International Space Station, setting a new European record for time spent in orbit. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/esa-astronaut-sophie-adenot-returns-to-earth-after-record-iss-mission ### 2026-10-10: Sophie Adenot returns to Earth after record-breaking ISS mission French astronaut Sophie Adenot has returned to Earth after a record-breaking 235-day mission on the International Space Station, setting a new duration record for a European astronaut. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophie-adenot-returns-to-earth-after-record-breaking-iss-mission ### 2026-10-08: Sophie Adenot returns to Earth after record-breaking ISS mission The Crew-12 mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after 237 days on the ISS, with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot setting a new European record for the longest continuous spaceflight. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophie-adenot-returns-to-earth-after-record-breaking-space-mission ### 2026-10-06: Sophie Adenot begins return to Earth after record ISS mission French astronaut Sophie Adenot is returning to Earth after a record-breaking 235-day mission aboard the ISS, with a SpaceX Crew Dragon splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean on October 8. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophie-adenot-begins-return-to-earth-from-the-iss ### 2026-10-03: Sophie Adenot's ISS return postponed due to weather NASA has postponed the Crew-12 mission's return from the ISS until at least Wednesday due to poor weather and sea conditions off California, delaying record-breaking astronaut Sophie Adenot's return. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophie-adenots-iss-return-postponed-due-to-weather ### 2026-09-21: Sophie Adenot prepares for ISS return and student radio exchange ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot prepares to return from the ISS following the upcoming Crew-13 launch, while French students engage in a live radio session with her from space. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sophie-adenot-prepares-for-iss-return-and-student-radio-exchange --- Cite as: Sophie Adenot ISS mission and return. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sophie-adenot-iss-mission-and-return