Philippe Baptiste, the minister of Higher Education, Research and Space, said Wednesday that astronaut Thomas Pesquet will return to space [1].

The announcement highlights France's continued commitment to its space program and the role of high-profile astronauts in inspiring the next generation of students. This comes as the government focuses on streamlining access to academic and professional training.

Baptiste spoke on the "8h30" radio-television program on Franceinfo on June 3, 2026 [1]. During the broadcast, the minister addressed the Parcoursup platform, which manages admissions for higher education in France. He said, "Parcoursup reste la porte d’entrée principale pour les étudiants souhaitant intégrer l’enseignement supérieur en France" [1].

The discussion transitioned from academic gateways to the frontiers of space exploration. Baptiste said that Pesquet is slated for another mission, though specific dates for the launch were not provided during the interview [1].

In separate reflections on his previous experiences in microgravity, Pesquet described the unique physical challenges of exercising in orbit. He noted that running on a treadmill in space differs significantly from Earth-bound athletics. "On court beaucoup plus vite dans l'espace!" Pesquet said [2].

This blend of educational policy and space exploration underscores the ministry's dual focus on terrestrial academic infrastructure, and extraterrestrial research. The Parcoursup system remains the primary mechanism for students to enter the French higher education system, while the space program serves as a flagship for national scientific achievement [1].

“Thomas Pesquet will return to space.”

The simultaneous promotion of the Parcoursup platform and Thomas Pesquet's return to space suggests a strategic effort by the French government to link academic accessibility with high-achievement scientific goals. By pairing the administrative reality of university admissions with the prestige of space exploration, the ministry aims to motivate students toward STEM fields and reinforce France's position in the global aerospace community.