How ESA astronauts return from space
When an astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA) returns from space, the mission is far from over.
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot launched to the International Space Station on 13 February 2026 for a mission called εpsilon.
The mission name embodies the essence of small, yet impactful, contributions. In mathematics, ε denotes a small quantity, much like an astronaut's role in the vastness of spaceflight. In astronomy, it represents the fifth-brightest star in a constellation.
Sophie flew to space with her Crew-12 crewmates on a SpaceX Dragon launching from Florida, USA. The crew of four included NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev.
Launch: Friday, 13 February 2026 at 10:15 GMT/11:15 CET (05:15 ET) from Florida, USA
Docking: Saturday, 14 February at 20:15 GMT/21:15 CET
Undocking: Wednesday, 7 October at 12:05 GMT/14:05 CEST
Splashdown: Thursday, 8 October at 15:34 GMT/17:34 CEST
Spacecraft: SpaceX Dragon
Expeditions: 74/75
Spaceflight duration: 237 days, 5 hours and 18 minutes
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First mission
237
Days in space
3
Three EVAs
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First of the Hoppers to fly
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Latest news
ESA and The Pokémon Company International reveal Europe-wide exhibition and astronaut Pikachu experience
The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) have launched an official collaboration to celebrate World Space Week 2026 from 4–10 October 2026.
Third spacewalk completed for Sophie Adenot
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir successfully completed US EVA-99 at 21:29 CEST on Tuesday 1 September. It was Sophie’s third spacewalk, and the 33rd conducted by a European astronaut.
Watch Sophie Adenot’s third spacewalk live
After two successful spacewalks on 18 August (EVA-97) and 25 August (EVA-98), watch ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot venture into the vacuum of space for the third time on Tuesday 1 September, during EVA-99.
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Recommended
<p>The essentials: European experiments during εpsilon.</p>
Sarcolab-3: Understanding how muscles adapt to spaceflight
As part of her εpsilon mission, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot is contributing to Sarcolab-3, a study investigating how prolonged exposure to microgravity affects muscles, tendons and sensorimotor control.
Farewell to the Fluid Science Laboratory after 18 years in orbit
On 9 October, astronauts on the International Space Station begin supporting the final decommissioning of ESA's Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL), one of the longest-serving scientific facilities inside Europe's Columbus laboratory.
NASA’s Standard Measures: A snapshot of astronaut health
Astronauts are not only highly trained professionals; they are also participants in many studies about physiology and the effects of weightlessness on the human body. For ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, that sometimes means drawing her own blood before starting her morning routine.
Myotones: measuring muscle health in space
On Earth, working against gravity, our muscles always retain a small amount of natural tension, while continuous neuromuscular activity also helps us maintain posture and respond quickly to sudden movements. That means our muscles reflexively tense when unexpectedly pulled or stretched, helping to maintain stability. In weightlessness, much of this mechanical load disappears, especially for the so-called antigravity muscles, involved in posture and movement. Over time, they lose mass and function, and this is one of the reasons why astronauts exercise about two hours a day during a space mission.
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Latest images
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Latest videos
Sophie Adenot – Epsilon Mission video resources compilationnnnn
Epsilon Mission – Post-Flight – Balance and Strength training
Epsilon Mission – Post-Flight – Walking from :envihab to Cosmos Gym at EAC
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Paris, France
Nevado Sajama, Bolivia
Parinacota, Chile and Bolivia
Pomerape and Parinacota, Chile and Bolivia
Humarata, Wallatiri and Guallatiri, Chile and Bolivia
Millau viaduct, France
Dune du Pilat, France
Lille, France
San Pablo Bay, United States
San Francisco Bay, United States
San Francisco Bay, United States
San Francisco Bay, United States
Kyzylkum, Kazakhstan
Perito Moreno National Park, Argentina
Madrid, Spain
Southwest France
Spectacular austral aurora
Bordeaux, France
La Réunion and Mauritius
La Réunion
Mauritius
La Camargue, France
Raiatea, French Polynesia
South-West of Paris, France
Tūpai, French Polynesia
Maupiti, French Polynesia
Saint-Brandon, Mauritius
Ari Atoll, Maldives
Mount Vesuvius, Italy
New dawn, new possibilities... 16 times a day!
Lanzarote during mission εpsilon
Lake Balkhash, Kazakhstan
Paris, France
Richat structure, Mauritania, observed from the ISS
Moonset over Earth
ESO's ELT telescope in the Atacama Desert, Chile
Heart-shaped mountin in Bolivia
ISS over Earth, picture by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot
First picture from Cupola by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during the εpsilon mission
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Recommended
<p>More about Sophie Adenot and the εpsilon mission.</p>
εpsilon patch
Discover the symbolism behind the εpsilon patch.
