Claudie Haigneré

About Claudie Haigneré

In 2001, Rheumatologist Claudie Haigneré spent exactly 25 days, 14 hours, and 22 minutes in space. She was the first non-Russian woman to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the mission named Andromeda. Already in 1993, she was a crew member of the Mir Altaïr mission, which also included her future husband, Jean-Pierre Haigneré (the asteroid 135268 Haigneré bears their name).

Three years later, the astronaut spent 16 days at the Mir orbital station as part of the Franco-Russian Cassiopeia mission. After her space adventures, Claudie Haigneré served as Minister Delegate for Research and New Technologies and later as Minister Delegate for European Affairs (2004-2005). Claudie Haigneré studied medicine in Paris and holds specialized study certificates in biology, rheumatology, and aeronautical, space, and sports medicine. In 1986, she obtained degrees in biomechanics and kinematics. In 1992, she completed studies in neuroscience. A Commander of the Legion of Honor (2007), she has received several national and international distinctions. Claudie Haigneré is currently the President of Universcience in Paris; the new establishment that brings together the Palais de la Découverte and the Cité des Sciences & de l’Industrie.