Sophie Adeno, a French astronaut, is leading the 'Epsilon' mission, which marks its inaugural journey to space aboard the SpaceX Dragon Freedom capsule. This mission began when the Crew-12 team was launched on February 13 from Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on February 14, signifying a crucial step in establishing a long-term European presence in low Earth orbit.

The Crew-12 team consists of four astronauts: Sophie Adeno from France, Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway from NASA, and Andrey Vidyaev from Russia. Their arrival at the ISS is particularly timely as they replace a previous crew that had to leave the station due to an unprecedented medical evacuation, which was the first of its kind in the station's history. With the new crew's arrival, the number of astronauts aboard the ISS returns to the operational level of seven, ensuring that the mission's objectives can be adequately met.

The Epsilon mission not only symbolizes European contributions to space exploration but also highlights the collaborative efforts between international space agencies. As the mission progresses, it is expected to further enhance scientific research aboard the ISS, continuing the legacy of shared human endeavors in advancing our understanding of space.