French ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot made history on August 18, 2026, as the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk, partnering with NASA’s Anil Menon to replace a critical communications antenna on the International Space Station.
Sophie Adenot’s spacewalk on August 18, 2026, marked a historic milestone for France and the European Space Agency (ESA). The ESA astronaut became the first French woman to conduct an extravehicular activity (EVA), stepping outside the International Space Station (ISS) with NASA’s Anil Menon to replace a high-speed data and communications antenna. The 6.5-hour mission, scheduled to begin at 8:35 a.m. EDT (12:35 p.m. GMT), involved replacing an aging antenna on the station’s Z1 truss segment, a key structural component above the ISS. The antenna is vital for maintaining communication between the ISS and Earth, enabling high-speed data transmission between the Mission Control Center in Houston and the orbital complex.
The Antenna Repair Mission
The spacewalk’s primary objective was to swap out an old antenna with a spare unit, a task requiring precise coordination between Adenot and Menon. The duo would first transfer the antenna between the Z1 truss and an external stowage platform before making delicate electrical and data connections to activate the replacement hardware. NASA officials emphasized the antenna’s critical role in enabling high-speed communications between the Mission Control Center in Houston and the space station.
The repair was part of routine maintenance to ensure the ISS’s continued functionality as it supports international scientific missions.
Despite this, the agency confirmed the mission was “go” for August 18, with Adenot and Menon completing final preparations the day before. The pair inspected safety tethers, organized tools, and reviewed procedures inside the ISS’s Quest airlock, with NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway and station commander Jessica Meir monitoring their work from inside the station.
A Historic First for France
Adenot’s spacewalk made her the first French woman to conduct an EVA, though she was not the first French person to do so. That distinction belongs to Jean-Loup Chrétien, who performed a spacewalk outside the Mir station in 1988. Subsequent male French astronauts, including Philippe Perrin and Thomas Pesquet, also conducted EVAs on the ISS. Pesquet became the first French person to command an ISS mission in October 2021. Adenot, part of ESA’s 2022 astronaut class, had spent over 150 hours training underwater at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne and NASA’s Johnson Space Center to qualify for EVAs.
The European Space Agency (ESA) described the spacewalk as the 97th US-led EVA in ISS history, with Adenot serving as Extravehicular Crew Member 2 (EV2) and Menon as EV1. Adenot’s spacesuit lacked the red stripes worn by Menon, a standard visual identifier for EVAs. Inside the station, Meir and Hathaway operated the Canadarm2 robotic arm to assist the spacewalkers, a task they had rehearsed extensively the prior week. The mission’s success would strengthen the ISS’s communications capabilities, ensuring seamless data transmission for ongoing scientific research and international collaboration.
Anil Menon’s Second Spacewalk in 10 Days
Menon’s participation in the August 18 spacewalk marked his second EVA in just 10 days, following his first on August 6, 2026. The Indian-origin NASA astronaut, who joined the agency in 2021, has become a key figure in ISS operations. His expertise as a physician, engineer, and former SpaceX flight surgeon has positioned him as a critical member of the Expedition 75 crew. The India Today article highlighted Menon’s role in preparing the ISS for future power system upgrades, a task that required precision during the antenna swap.
With the antenna replacement complete, the ISS would continue its role as a hub for international research, supporting experiments in biology, physics, and Earth observation. The mission also highlighted the collaborative nature of space exploration, with ESA, NASA, and other agencies working together to ensure the station’s longevity.
While she is the first French woman to conduct an EVA, other female astronauts from different countries have already made similar milestones. For now, Adenot’s historic walk remains a landmark moment for France and the broader space community, demonstrating the progress made in breaking barriers in STEM fields.
