For students in the Aveyron region of France, the classroom has effectively expanded to include the orbit of the Earth. Through a series of ambitious educational space projects, students are no longer just reading about astrophysics and botany in textbooks; they are actively coordinating experiments with a French astronaut currently stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
At the center of this initiative is the Epsilon mission, featuring astronaut Sophie Adenot, who launched on Friday, February 13, 2026, for a scheduled eight-month stay in space according to the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES). The mission serves as a catalyst for a unique pedagogical bridge, linking the high-tech environment of the ISS with primary and secondary schools across France, turning orbital research into a living laboratory for thousands of students.
This synergy is most evident in the ChlorISS project, an educational experiment designed to demystify the complexities of space science. By mirroring activities performed in microgravity with identical tests on the ground, the program allows students to engage in the scientific method in real-time, comparing terrestrial results with those transmitted from the space station.
The ChlorISS Experiment: Botany Beyond Earth
The ChlorISS project—named after the nymph associated with spring and flowers in Greek mythology—is a collaborative effort involving several high-level institutions. The initiative was developed by CNES in partnership with Sorbonne University in Paris, the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty per CNES documentation.
The core scientific objective of ChlorISS is to investigate how gravity and light influence the germination and growth of plants. By observing these variables in the vacuum and microgravity of space compared to the controlled environments of a classroom, researchers and students aim to better understand terrestrial vegetation and its critical role in addressing global climate challenges.
The rollout of the experiment is designed for maximum participation. Starting in May 2026, Sophie Adenot will conduct the orbital phase of the experiment. Simultaneously, thousands of students, ranging from primary school to the lycée (high school) level, will reproduce the experiment in their own classrooms. This dual-track approach allows students to see a direct correlation between their local observations and the data gathered 250 miles above the Earth.
Local Impact: From Aveyron to the ISS
In the Aveyron region, the impact of these educational space projects is particularly visible at Lycée La Roque in Onet-le-Château. Students in the “première Stav1” class—which specializes in the sciences and technologies of agronomy and living things—have been closely following Adenot’s journey since her February launch.
For these students, the mission is not merely a news event but a practical extension of their curriculum. The integration of the ChlorISS project into their studies allows them to apply agronomic principles to an extreme environment, fostering a deeper interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers. The ability to interact with an astronaut who is actively performing the same experiments they are conducting on the ground transforms abstract scientific concepts into tangible experiences.
The Path to Orbit: Who is Sophie Adenot?
The success of the Epsilon mission and its educational outreach is anchored by the expertise of Sophie Adenot. Her career path serves as a blueprint for the very students she is now inspiring. Born on July 5, 1982, in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire, Adenot was selected as an astronaut by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2022 via official CNES records.
Adenot’s academic and professional background blends high-level engineering with rigorous military discipline:
- Academic Foundation: She holds an engineering degree from ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse, specializing in spacecraft and aircraft flight dynamics, and a master’s degree in human factors engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, USA.
- Industrial Experience: She began her career as a helicopter cockpit design engineer at Airbus Helicopters in Marignane.
- Military Career: Joining the French Air and Space Force in 2005, she became a helicopter pilot. Her service included roles as a Search and Rescue (SAR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) pilot at Cazaux Air Base from 2008 to 2012.
- Specialized Flight Training: Between 2012 and 2017, she served as the chief of flight training and mission captain within the High Authority Transport Squadron in Villacoublay.
- Experimental Testing: From 2019 to 2022, she worked as a helicopter experimental test pilot at the Cazaux Flight Test Center for the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).
By the time she embarked on the Epsilon mission, Adenot had accumulated over 3,000 flight hours across 22 different types of helicopters according to her CNES profile. This combination of technical engineering and operational flight experience makes her uniquely qualified to handle the complex scientific payload of the ISS.
Why Space-Based Education Matters
The integration of the Epsilon mission into the French school system represents a shift toward “active learning.” Rather than passively consuming information, students are acting as junior researchers. This model of education is critical for several reasons:
Bridging the Gap in STEM Interest
By providing a high-profile role model like Sophie Adenot, the program encourages students—particularly young women—to pursue careers in engineering and space science. The visibility of a female astronaut with a background in both military aviation and MIT-level engineering breaks traditional stereotypes about who belongs in the aerospace industry.
Real-World Application of Agronomy
For students in agricultural tracks like the Stav1 class, the ChlorISS project demonstrates that agronomy is not limited to terrestrial farming. Understanding how plants behave in microgravity provides insights into cellular biology and stress responses that can be applied to improving crop resilience on Earth, especially in the face of volatile climate shifts.
Global Scientific Collaboration
The ISS is a symbol of international cooperation. By participating in these projects, students learn that scientific progress is rarely the result of a single individual or nation, but rather the product of partnerships between universities (Sorbonne), government agencies (CNES/ESA), and ministries.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Project | ChlorISS (Plant growth and germination) |
| Key Objective | Compare light/gravity effects on Earth vs. ISS |
| Lead Astronaut | Sophie Adenot |
| Launch Date | February 13, 2026 |
| Mission Duration | 8 Months |
| Core Partners | CNES, Sorbonne University, French Ministries of Education and Agriculture |
Looking Ahead: The Next Phase
As the Epsilon mission progresses, the focus will shift from launch excitement to data collection. The most critical window for students will begin in May 2026, when the ChlorISS experiments officially commence in orbit. At that point, the classroom results from Aveyron and across France will be compared with the findings from the ISS, providing a real-time lesson in orbital biology.
The mission is expected to conclude after its eight-month duration, but the pedagogical impact is intended to be permanent. By transforming the International Space Station into a remote laboratory, France is fostering a new generation of scientists who view the boundaries of the atmosphere not as a limit, but as a starting point for discovery.
The next major checkpoint for the program will be the initiation of the orbital plant experiments in May 2026. We will continue to monitor the data shared between the ISS and the participating classrooms.
Do you believe integrating real-time space missions into school curricula is the best way to inspire future scientists? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with an educator.