In the effort to conquer space, France is one of those countries that has managed to stand out. Starting with the foundation of its own space agency, the Center National d'Études Spatiales (CNES)in 1961, this country has been pioneer in the development of technologies, such as its Asterix satellite launched in 1965, becoming the third country in the world to achieve such a feat. France has also contributed significantly to the development of research in the International Space Station (ISS)where astronauts like Thomas Pesquet either Claudie Haigneré They have excelled in their missions.
The latter is an iconic figure in the field of space exploration. Born in France in 1957, Haigneré made history as the first female astronaut from her country, and one of the few in Europe.. His professional career began in medicine, more specifically neuroscience, and evolved until he conquered space. Of course this The path was not free of controversy.
Claudie Haigneré's contribution to space exploration
The French astronaut participated in two important missions: “Cassiopeia” in 1996, where he carried out research on the Russian space station Mir, and “Andromède” in 2001, on the International Space Station. However, despite his successful career, there was an incident that in 2008 captured the attention of the international press.
After his decade in space research, Haigneré entered politics as Minister Delegate for Research and New Technologies in France from 2002 to 2004, and later as Minister Delegate for European Affairs from 2004 to 2005. Subsequently, Haigneré suffered a dramatic episode in December 2008.
And it is that on that date the former astronaut had to be urgently hospitalized in Paris after an apparent suicide attempt, having consumed an overdose of sleeping pills. The curious thing? It is that while she was in that state, it was reported that she exclaimed: “The Earth must be alerted!”, and after that he fell unconscious.
This story spread quickly, fueling numerous conspiracy theories about their possible knowledge of extraterrestrial life and her abrupt change of attitude. And far from what one might expect, the reality behind these events was never clearly revealed. While the hospital and the professional's acquaintances denied the rumors, calling the incident a regrettable misunderstanding, Nor was a deeper explanation given about that episode.
After recovering, Haigneré left politics and joined the Pasteur Institute in Paris.However, a fire at the laboratory where he worked shortly after his hospitalization added fuel to the fire, with theories suggesting the blaze could have been a attempt to hide “DNA evidence of alien presence.”
To the date Haigneré is absolutely far from her space career and works as director of the City of Sciences and Industry in Parisone of the largest museums in Europe. His legacy will always be part of history, despite the conspiracy theories that clouded the end of his career.