ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot returns after 237 days in space
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot has landed back on Earth after a 237‑day mission, concluding her long‑duration stay aboard the International Space Station. The return follows a series of ESA activities this week, including the Smile mission’s capture of a complete auroral ring, Mars Express’s detection of a new Martian cloud formation, and Hera’s first images of target asteroids for planetary defence. Earlier space history notes that NASA’s Galileo spacecraft passed asteroid Gaspra in 1991, marking the first spacecraft encounter with an asteroid.
Key facts
- Galileo passed Gaspra at 990 miles (1,593 km) distance, moving about 5 miles (8 km) per second.
- Gaspra measures roughly 12 miles long and 7 miles wide.
- Gaspra was the first asteroid visited by a spacecraft.
- NASA launched Galileo toward Jupiter in October 1989.
- ESA welcomed thousands of visitors during Open Days and partnered with Pokémon.
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Why it matters
The mission demonstrates ESA’s growing role in long‑duration human spaceflight and planetary defence.
What changed
First published from Space.com and ESA