Sophie Adenot, a 44-year-old French astronaut and mother of a young child, sent encouraging messages to students on Wednesday, marking the start of the school year. Speaking from the International Space Station (ISS), she answered questions from journalists the day after completing her third spacewalk. Adenot acknowledged that returning to Earth isn't always enjoyable, as it involves "lots of math equations or subjects you don't necessarily like." However, she encouraged young people, saying that these challenges "will lead to something that will really please you and allow you to have fun in your profession or in life." Adenot arrived at the ISS on February 13 and will become the European astronaut with the longest mission in space on Thursday, having spent 202 days aboard the station. This surpasses the previous record held by Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano. Despite being "a little tired" after three extravehicular activities (EVAs)—spacewalks that took place over fifteen days—Adenot described these EVAs as the "highlight" of her first mission. She compared the experience of stepping outside the station to "opening the door of a car and finding yourself with your feet at the edge of a cliff." As the first French woman to travel into space, Adenot conducted three spacewalks in August and September, performing critical maintenance tasks and replacing faulty equipment. Adenot described the spacewalks as "very, very different," noting that the first was "really difficult because it is that big leap into the unknown." However, she found that her confidence grew with each subsequent EVA, even though the environment remains "very hostile." She mentioned that most of the mission's goals have been achieved, with only a few weeks left, and believes they will complete all tasks, potentially even exceeding expectations. Originally, a crew rotation was planned for mid-September, but it was delayed due to a technical issue with the replacement spacecraft. As of now, no new date has been set for the changeover. When asked if she was considering a second mission, Adenot said she was aware that time is needed for recovery and that other European astronauts should have the chance to take part in future missions. Nevertheless, she expressed readiness for any opportunity, stating, "In any case, I will be ready for anything. And if they tell me 'go again!', well, I will go again with great pleasure!"