Sophie Adenot returns to Earth

Sophie Adenot returned to Earth on October 8, 2026, after spending 237 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Her return marks the end of a long mission focused on scientific research and human adaptation to space environments.

Readapting to Earth's gravity

One of the major challenges Adenot faces is reacclimating her body to Earth's gravity. A few days after her return, she shared images of her first exercises to readapt physically, highlighting the difficulties of transitioning back to a gravity-rich environment.

Sensory experiences in space

In addition to physical recovery, Adenot is reconnecting with sensory experiences on Earth, particularly the sense of smell. During her time on the ISS, she lived in an environment with confined air where smells are rare, significantly different from life on Earth.

Smells on the ISS

On the ISS, the astronaut lived in an environment with confined air where smells are rare. During a press conference organized by the European Space Agency (ESA), Adenot explained that the station generally has a neutral smell, as perfumes containing alcohol molecules are not allowed due to the inability of air recycling systems to process alcohol.

Impact of microgravity on the sense of smell

However, the presence of humans on the station introduces other odors, such as sweat. Adenot noted that the sense of smell is underutilized in space due to microgravity, which causes bodily fluids to rise to the head, leading to facial swelling and nasal congestion similar to a cold. This reduces the ability to smell, according to NASA.

Smell during spacewalks

During extravehicular activities, or spacewalks, the spacesuit does not provide notable olfactory sensations. However, upon returning to the airlock, astronauts experience a strong smell described as burned metal, similar to a barbecue that went wrong. This phenomenon has been noted by other astronauts as well, with some describing it as the smell of grilled steak or burned powder.

Origin of the smell

The origin of this smell remains debated, with some suggesting it may be due to oxidation of metal surfaces outside the station rather than space itself. The exact cause is still not fully understood, but it is a common experience among astronauts returning from spacewalks.

Heightened sense of smell on Earth

Adenot noted that upon returning to Earth, her sense of smell was heightened, describing it as "power 10." She described the experience as similar to the heightened sense of smell during early pregnancy. The smells of Earth, such as sea spray and laundry, were particularly noticeable to her.

Rediscovering Earth's scents

This heightened sense of smell persisted in the days following her landing, with Adenot expressing joy in rediscovering Earth's smells, such as the scent of grass watered by rain. The experience highlights the profound impact of returning to a gravity-rich environment on human sensory perception.

Importance of fresh food

Adenot also highlighted the importance of fresh food on Earth, which is a luxury in space. One of her experiments focused on a space cooking robot, and she expressed appreciation for the taste and smell of fresh food, such as a hazelnut chocolate spread, which she had not experienced during her mission.