Sophie Adenot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sophie Adenot
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Sophie Adenot at the announcement of the 2022 European Space Agency Astronaut Group in Paris
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| Born | July 5, 1982 Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, France |
| Allegiance | France |
| Service/ |
French Air and Space Force |
| Years of service | 2005–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | Escadron d'Hélicoptères 1/67 Pyrénées (2008-2012) High Authority Transport Squadron (2012-2017) |
| Alma mater | École Nationale Supérieure de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cranfield University |
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| Space career | |
| ESA astronaut | |
| Selection | 2022 ESA Group |
Sophie Adenot, born on 5 July 1982, is a French engineer, helicopter pilot, and astronaut. She is a skilled helicopter pilot in the French Air and Space Force. In 2018, she made history by becoming the first woman in France to be a helicopter test pilot. Later, in 2022, she was chosen to become an astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA).
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Early Life and School
Sophie Adenot was born in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, France. Her mother, Isabelle Adenot, was a pharmacist, and her father, Hubert Adenot, was a notary.
Sophie went to special schools for daughters of people honored by France. These schools helped her prepare for top universities.
Studying Engineering
From 2001 to 2003, Sophie studied engineering at ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse, France. She focused on how aircraft and spacecraft fly. She earned her degree in 2004.
In 2004, she also earned a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. At MIT, she studied how the body's balance system reacts to artificial gravity. This research helped develop special training for astronauts.
After graduating from MIT, Sophie worked as an engineer at Airbus Helicopters for one year. She helped design the control areas, called cockpits, for helicopters.
Her Amazing Career
Flying for the Air Force
Sophie Adenot joined the French Air Force in 2005. After training to fly helicopters, she was assigned to a squadron that flew Caracal helicopters. From 2008 to 2012, she flew these helicopters for search and rescue missions in dangerous areas.
In 2012, she joined a special squadron that transports important people. This included the head of state, government ministers, and visitors from other countries.
Becoming a Test Pilot
In 2018, Sophie went to the Empire Test Pilots' School in the United Kingdom. She trained to become a test pilot. When she graduated, she became the first female helicopter test pilot in France. She also received an award for being the best test pilot in her class.
After her training, she worked as a helicopter test pilot at Cazaux Air Base from 2019 to 2022. She tested helicopters for the French Defence Procurement Agency. By 2022, she had flown for 3,000 hours on 22 different types of helicopters.
Sophie has moved up in rank during her time in the Air Force. She became a lieutenant in 2006, a captain in 2009, a commandant in 2014, and a lieutenant colonel in 2020.
Journey to Becoming an Astronaut
In 2022, Sophie Adenot was chosen to join the European Astronaut Corps. She is the second French woman to become an ESA astronaut, following Claudie Haigneré. Sophie and 16 other people were selected from 22,500 candidates!
Sophie is expected to be the first from her group to fly to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission is planned for spring 2026. For her trip, Sophie will bring special French dishes designed by a famous chef. These will be in addition to the regular astronaut food.
Awards and Recognitions
Sophie Adenot has received several honors for her achievements:
- In 2020, she was recognized by the Young Leaders program of the French-American Foundation.
- In 2021, she received the Medal of the French National Assembly. This award was for being an inspiring role model for gender equality in science.
- In 2022, she was appointed a chevalier in the French National Order of Merit.
