Impatience. In Toulouse more than elsewhere, excitement is growing hour by hour as Sophie Adenot’s departure for the International Space Station approaches. The astronaut, trained in the Pink City, will take off in a few days from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with American NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway and Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
She will thus become the second French woman to fly into space, after Claudie Haigneré, in 1996. “She knows that she has a special place and that she will have this role of inspiring a young generation”underlines the pioneer. The mission, brought forward to respond to the anticipated return of the previous one – due to a health problem of one of the crew members –, should take off this Thursday, February 12.
“It brings back memories: this moment when, finally, we can sit in the capsule, we wait for the countdown and the firing. There, we touch the reality of our dream. Because, until the last moment, everything can be canceled”remembers Claudie Haigneré. A consecration for Sophie Adenot, 43, who was only 13 when she saw Claudie Haigneré fly to the stars. A founding moment for the woman who has since devoted her life to this mission. This Thursday will mark a symbolic relay between two women united by history. “We were waiting for it! enthuses Claudie Haigneré. I have followed Sophie since she got involved in the adventure, during her selection, and after. But by staying in my place, that’s his mission. She knows I’m there, it’s a pride to be able to accompany her. »
“Sophie Adenot carries French and European ambition”
Thirty years after realizing her own dream, the astronaut is delighted that others have followed the path after her: “Things are progressing. If we look at the ESA selections from which Sophie comes, out of 22,500 candidates, 17 were selected, and among them eight women. It’s more balanced. » Another historic milestone: Sophie Adenot will be the first European to stay in space for such a long time, nine months, instead of the usual six. “Three more months is not insignificant. Isolation, distance, confinement… there will be ups and downs, predicts Claudie Haigneré, but she carries the French and European ambition. She is aware of her responsibility, it will affect her. »
Mission Epsilon
In orbit 400 kilometers from Earth, Sophie Adenot’s mission, named “Epsilon”promises to be particularly intense, with nearly 200 scientific experiments to be carried out on board the ISS. Seven of them will be followed live by CNES based in Toulouse. Among these experiments: PhysioTool, which will allow you to measure your cardiovascular system using sensors, EchoFinder, an autonomous ultrasound, or even Food Processor, the equivalent of the Thermomix in space: “The idea is to prepare a recipe: it will create a Mediterranean duo with eggplant caviar and hummus,” explains Benjamin Peter, from Cité de l’Espace. Another educational experience will be dedicated to young people: ChlorlISS, which will aim to grow seeds simultaneously in the space station and in 4,500 classes throughout France.
Objective: to advance science on earth, but also to prepare for the future and future manned explorations. Both heiress and scout, Sophie Adenot is preparing to follow in the footsteps of her predecessors but also to awaken vocations. Like Thomas Pesquet in 2016 and 2021, she intends to make her adventure a “mission to transmit and share”. “Take us with you!” » Claudie Haigneré asks him with emotion.
