ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot (FR) is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station in 2026. Her first mission to the International Space Station, εpsilon, is named after the fifth Greek letter and the fifth brightest star of the Leo constellation, following the French tradition to name human spaceflight missions after celestial bodies. It also pays tribute to the five career astronauts of ESA’s 2022 class. In mathematics, ‘ε’ represents something small. In the extensive collaborative effort of space exploration, involving thousands of participants, all roles, including the astronaut’s role, stay small, yet all are meaningful.
Just as the name reflects the power of small, yet impactful contributions and how multiple parts unite to create a whole, so does the idea behind the patch design. The hummingbird motif is central; though one of Earth’s smallest birds, it plays a crucial role in the jungle’s ecosystem, pollinating numerous plants. Around the edge is a ring of small dots, symbolising the many small contributions that together make great achievements possible. All these little actions that can be coordinated to form a circle and close the loop. At the top, three of these dots are coloured – blue, white and red – representing Sophie’s home country, France, and ESA’s exploration destinations: Earth, the Moon and Mars.
Three lines emerge from the ‘i’ of the εpsilon, shaping the tail of a shooting star, a poetic reminder that dreams keep us alive. Also featured are five stars, a tribute to the five career astronauts of ESA’s 2022 class. At the base of the patch is round blue shape, representing Earth’s surface and its natural beauty: mountains, forests and landscapes that Sophie enjoys exploring. It serves as a reminder of our motivation for spaceflight: to explore, learn and return with this knowledge to benefit life on Earth.
From an emotional perspective, the same message is conveyed. In life’s intricate tapestry, small threads contribute to create the most beautiful patterns. A kind word, a gentle smile, a moment of patience – these seemingly insignificant actions can transform lives and shape destinies. This patch invites each of us to embrace the potential of our smallest actions as they ripple outward, touching hearts and inspiring souls.