NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot conducted an all-female spacewalk at the International Space Station on Tuesday, September 2, 2026. The 6.5-hour mission focused on replacing a spacecraft navigational aid and performing critical maintenance on the station’s exterior hardware.
The mission marks the sixth time in history that a spacewalk has been performed by an entirely female crew. For the participants, the stakes were both technical and personal: it was the seventh spacewalk for Meir and the third for Adenot.
Maintenance Tasks and the $2 Billion Spectrometer
The crew exited the station around 8:35 a.m. ET to execute a series of complex repairs. A primary objective was the replacement of a navigational device. Beyond that, the astronauts focused on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a particle-physics experiment mounted on the ISS exterior designed to detect cosmic particles.
The spectrometer is a massive investment in science, with a cost of $2 billion. Ensuring its continued operation required the crew to prepare the instrument’s radiator for future maintenance.
The technical scope of the walk also included the installation of jumper cables for data-relay systems and the replacement of a high-definition camera located on the station’s truss.
Operational Roles: Red Stripes and Robot Arms
To maintain clear identification during the 6.5-hour excursion, the astronauts wore distinct suits. Sophie Adenot served as crew member 1, wearing a suit with red stripes. Jessica Meir acted as crew member 2 in an unmarked suit.
Their movement across the station’s exterior differed based on their assigned roles. While Adenot remained tethered to the station, Meir utilized the Canadarm2 robot arm to reach her specific work site.
This level of coordination required extensive preparation.
A Rare Milestone in Space History
While spacewalks are routine for the ISS—this being the 284th since 1998—all-female crews remain a rarity. This event is only the sixth such occurrence in the history of space exploration.
Jessica Meir has become a central figure in this specific milestone. She participated in the first all-female spacewalk, including the historic first in 2019 alongside fellow NASA astronaut Christina Koch.
Long-term Station Sustainability
The current mission is part of a broader effort to keep the aging station operational. By focusing on “prep work,” the crew is setting the stage for more significant upgrades planned for the coming months.
The importance of these maintenance cycles is underscored by the sheer value of the equipment involved. When a single experiment like the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer represents a $2 billion investment, the routine replacement of a camera or the installation of jumper cables is less about minor repairs and more about protecting a massive scientific asset from the harsh environment of space.
