"We are very happy to be back on Earth after an incredible mission," said mission commander Jessica Meir shortly after the SpaceX Dragon capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on October 8, 2026. The capsule, carrying four crew members, landed safely at 3:34 p.m. GMT (5:34 p.m. Paris time) following a journey of more than 27 hours, according to NASA’s live broadcast.
Crew-12 Recovery in the Pacific Ocean
The crew—comprising NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andreï Fediaïev—returned after a 235-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Following the splashdown off the coast of Los Angeles, the Dragon capsule was hoisted onto a recovery ship, the Shannon.
NASA official Bill Spetch confirmed the crew was in good health, noting that the astronauts were "all smiles" upon exiting the vehicle. Because their bodies had spent over seven months in microgravity, recovery teams assisted the crew members one by one, placing them into specialized chairs to mitigate risks of fainting or falls as they readjusted to Earth’s gravity. The astronauts underwent initial medical evaluations on the ship before being transported by helicopter to land, with plans to fly to the NASA center in Houston, Texas.
Sophie Adenot’s Record-Setting Mission
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, who celebrated her 44th birthday on the ISS this past July, set a record for the longest continuous orbital stay by a European astronaut, man or woman. During her time in orbit, Adenot documented the physical toll of long-duration spaceflight, noting effects such as hair whitening, loss of flexibility, and vision changes. These symptoms align with the physiological impacts of microgravity, which include bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular degradation.
Beyond her research tasks, Adenot became the first French woman to venture into space. She completed three extra-vehicular activities (EVA) on August 18, August 25, and September 1, 2026. Describing the experience, she compared exiting the space station to "opening the door of a car and finding yourself with your feet on the edge of a cliff."
Post-Mission Rehabilitation in Cologne
Following her arrival in Houston, Adenot is scheduled to travel to the European astronaut training center in Cologne, Germany. There, she will begin a three-week recovery and readaptation program. While she expressed excitement about reuniting with her family, Adenot also noted a "hint of nostalgia" in a social media update recorded shortly before her departure from the ISS.
Crew-12 Astronauts Return After 235 Days in Space
How long was the Crew-12 mission in space?
The crew spent 235 days aboard the International Space Station before their return to Earth on October 8, 2026.
What specific physical changes did the astronauts report?
During the mission, Sophie Adenot reported experiencing accelerated signs of aging, including hair whitening, reduced flexibility, and declining vision, which are common responses to prolonged exposure to microgravity.
What is the next phase for the astronauts?
After initial medical checks on the recovery ship, the crew was transported to Houston. From there, Sophie Adenot will head to the European astronaut training center in Cologne for a three-week rehabilitation and recovery program.
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