On Tuesday, French astronaut Sophie Adenot is poised to make history as the first woman from France to step outside the International Space Station (ISS) for a spacewalk. She will be joined by NASA astronaut Anil Menon, with the excursion scheduled to begin around 14:35 CET and last approximately six and a half hours.
The primary objective of the spacewalk is to replace a space-to-ground antenna on the orbital complex, a critical component for high-speed communications and data transmission between the ISS and mission control in Houston, according to NASA. Adenot, 44, will become only the second European woman to perform a spacewalk, following Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, who accomplished the feat in 2022.
Preparation and teamwork
Adenot has been preparing for this operation for several days aboard the ISS, which orbits about 400 kilometres above Earth. In a post on X on Sunday, she emphasised the importance of preparation: "A successful (spacewalk) starts long before the hatch opens and that's where my focus has been these past few days: rehearsing, preparing and focusing."
The antenna being replaced is vital for maintaining robust communication links, a fact Adenot highlighted in her social media update. The operation will be monitored from inside the station by flight engineer Jack Hathaway and station commander Jessica Meir, who will also operate the robotic arm to assist the spacewalkers.
"While the spacewalkers are the ones out in the spotlight, (extravehicular activities) are very much a team effort and it's always a privilege to support the crew from within," Adenot wrote after a previous spacewalk, during which she supported Meir and Menon from inside the ISS.
A pioneering career
An engineer by training and a former test pilot, Adenot became in February the second Frenchwoman in history to fly into space, following the trailblazing Claudie Haigneré. Her journey to the ISS marks a significant milestone for France's space programme, which has seen only one other French astronaut—Thomas Pesquet—conduct spacewalks, doing so six times over two missions.
This spacewalk not only underscores Adenot's personal achievement but also highlights the growing role of European astronauts in international space operations. As Europe continues to collaborate with NASA and other partners, missions like this reinforce the continent's contributions to space exploration.
The successful completion of the antenna replacement will ensure the ISS maintains its high-speed communication capabilities, essential for ongoing scientific research and crew safety. Adenot's historic walk is a testament to the dedication and skill of European astronauts, and it paves the way for future generations of women in space.
