US and French astronauts have conducted a joint spacewalk outside the International Space Station, marking a historic milestone for Sophie Adenot. She is the first Frenchwoman to perform an extravehicular activity, working alongside American astronaut Anil Menon.
The spacewalk lasted approximately 6.5 hours at an altitude of about 400 kilometers above Earth. The astronauts' primary mission was to replace an antenna that ensures the station's communication with the mission control center in Houston. Adenot successfully exited the station, following several days of intensive training.
The astronauts dismantled the old equipment and installed the new one, with the entire process monitored from inside the station. The operation was supported by flight engineer Jack Hathaway and commander Jessica Meir, who operated the robotic arm.
Sophie Adenot is the second European woman to perform a spacewalk, following Italy's Samantha Cristoforetti. A former test pilot and engineer by profession, Adenot became only the second French woman in history to travel to space this past February.
This successful spacewalk highlights the delicate nature of work on the exterior of the ISS. Replacing the antenna is not a simple technical task; it directly affects the stability of communications between the station and Earth.
It is fascinating to witness this new milestone for the French space program. Adenot's success confirms the high quality of test pilot training. Future missions will show how this experience benefits European astronauts in upcoming space endeavors.
