Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Astronaut

Sophie Adenot

Sophie Marie Laurence Adenot is a French engineer, helicopter pilot, military officer, and astronaut.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Sophie Adenot is a French engineer, helicopter pilot, and astronaut. She became France’s first female helicopter test pilot and launched to the International Space Station in February 2026.

Early life and education

Adenot was born in 1982 in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, Burgundy, France. She studied engineering at ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse and earned a Master of Science in human factors engineering from MIT in 2004.

Aviation and military career

After her studies, Adenot worked in aerospace and joined the French Air Force in 2005. She became a helicopter pilot and, in 2018, was named France’s first female helicopter test pilot. She later served as a colonel in the French Air and Space Force.

Astronaut career

The European Space Agency selected Adenot as an astronaut candidate in November 2022. She completed basic training and received astronaut certification in April 2024. She launched to the International Space Station on 13 February 2026 for a long-duration mission named εpsilon.

In short

  • Born in 1982 in France, studied engineering at ISAE-SUPAERO and MIT.
  • Became France’s first female helicopter test pilot in 2018.
  • Selected as an ESA astronaut in 2022 and certified in 2024.
  • Launched to the ISS on 13 February 2026.
Canadian angle

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources, though Canadian readers may know her through ESA and International Space Station coverage.

Quick questions

Who is Sophie Adenot?
Sophie Adenot is a French engineer, helicopter pilot, military officer, and astronaut selected by the European Space Agency in 2022.
What is Sophie Adenot known for?
She is known for being France’s first female helicopter test pilot and for becoming an ESA astronaut who flew to the ISS.
When did Sophie Adenot go to space?
She launched to the International Space Station on 13 February 2026.

Sources

  1. European Space Agency — https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Sophie_Adenot
    Supports: Education, ESA selection, astronaut certification, and launch to the ISS
  2. European Space Agency — https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/02/Meet_ESA_Astronaut_Sophie_Adenot
    Supports: Biography summary, occupation, and first mission launch date
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Adenot
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, family background, and role as France’s first female helicopter test pilot
  4. Le Monde — https://www.lemonde.fr/en/science/article/2022/11/27/meet-sophie-adenot-the-second-french-woman-astronaut-in-history_6005796_10.html
    Supports: Education, MIT degree, Air Force career, and astronaut selection context
  5. Le Monde — https://www.lemonde.fr/en/science/article/2026/02/12/astronaut-sophie-adenot-prepares-for-her-first-takeoff_6750408_10.html
    Supports: Mission timing, career background, and first French class member to fly