ISS to host first spacewalk by Frenchwoman

Washington: French astronaut Sophie Adenot is set to make history as the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday. Accompanied by American astronaut Anil Menon, the spacewalk is scheduled to commence at 1235 GMT and will last for six and a half hours. Adenot's primary task is to replace a space-to-ground antenna, crucial for high-speed communications and data transmission between the ISS and mission control in Houston.

Adenot, 44, becomes the second European woman to perform a spacewalk, following Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti's mission in 2022. Preparing for the operation has been a focus for Adenot in the days leading up to the spacewalk, including rehearsing, preparing, and maintaining concentration. NASA's flight engineer Jack Hathaway and station commander Jessica Meir will monitor Adenot and Menon, operating a robotic arm from inside the ISS.

Adenot, an engineer by training and a former test pilot, became the second Frenchwoman in space in February, following Claudie Haignere. The last French astronaut to walk in space was Thomas Pesquet, who completed six spacewalks over two ISS stays.