Sophie Adenot is set to become the second French astronaut to journey into space, following Claudie Haigneré. At 42, she is training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for a six-month mission to the International Space Station in spring 2026. Adenot shares insights on her rigorous training, including mastering ISS systems, testing space food, and managing medical emergencies. As her launch date nears, she’s preparing her essentials and a surprise shoebox of personal items for her orbital adventure.
Sophie Adenot: A Journey to Space Awaits
Sophie Adenot is on the verge of making history as the second French astronaut to embark on an orbital journey, following in the footsteps of Claudie Haigneré, who flew aboard the Soviet station Mir three decades ago. At 42 years old, Adenot is preparing for her upcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for spring 2026. Over the past year, she has been immersed in rigorous training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to equip herself for a six-month stint aboard the ISS. This center has been a training ground for astronauts since its inception in 1962, helping prepare them for their missions. In an exclusive interview, Sophie shares her experiences at NASA, the challenges of her training, and her preparations for this monumental journey.
Insights from the Johnson Space Center Experience
Reflecting on her arrival at the Johnson Space Center, Sophie describes it as a surreal experience. “Picking up my badge and seeing ‘Welcome to the Johnson Space Center’ with the iconic NASA logo was a dream come true. The atmosphere is filled with inspiration, even featuring the imprint of a moon boot, which was incredibly moving,” she recalls.
One of the first lessons for new astronauts involves mastering the maintenance of the ISS’s toilet systems. “At NASA, we undergo numerous classes to understand how to operate various systems on the ISS. Fixing the toilets is one of the initial tasks we tackle. It’s a lighthearted initiation by seasoned astronauts, emphasizing the significance of being prepared—there’s no hiding behind a tree in space!” she laughs. Hands-on practice is crucial, as they disassemble and reassemble the toilets to build familiarity through repetition, honing their ‘muscle memory.’
With nearly 15,000 procedures related to the space station, the learning curve is steep. “While we can’t memorize everything, we aim to absorb enough knowledge to execute any task required on board,” she explains. “We focus on delicate maintenance operations that require specific tools, and for more standard systems, we learn the relevant acronyms and tool usage.” The adaptability required to manage various training subjects, especially during visits to partner space agencies, presents its own set of challenges, particularly with time zone adjustments.
When asked about her favorite part of training, Sophie shares that testing space food is quite enjoyable. “We practice how to rehydrate meals and heat them up, all while tasting the food. I was surprised by the space bread, which is designed to avoid crumbs that could jeopardize air filtration systems. Instead of a traditional baguette, we have a dense biscuit-like bread that retains a bread flavor,” she explains.
Conversely, the most challenging aspect is the constant shift in focus during training. “For instance, one week I might have a class on operating a robotic arm, followed by a dental training session on how to treat cavities. It requires mental agility to switch gears,” she notes.
Currently, Sophie is concentrating on managing medical emergencies in space, learning vital skills such as administering intravenous lines and performing CPR in microgravity. “In space, if you don’t secure your body properly, applying enough pressure can be difficult. One technique even involves anchoring your feet to the ceiling to leverage your leg strength,” she explains.
International collaboration remains a crucial part of her training, including ongoing sessions in Russia. “We go there as part of international agreements to prepare for emergencies in Russian modules aboard the ISS. The cooperation among astronauts and instructors is exceptional,” she states.
As her launch date approaches, Sophie is already preparing for her stay in orbit. “I’ve started packing my suitcase, which feels surreal so far in advance. Right now, it’s all about essentials: pants, t-shirts, socks, sports gear, and sneakers for treadmill workouts. We’re also allowed a shoebox of personal items, which I’m keeping a surprise for now,” she adds with a smile.