French astronaut Sophie Adeno became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Feb. 13, 2026 [2].
The mission marks a significant milestone for the French space program and represents the first time in 25 years that a French woman has traveled to space [2].
Adeno performed the extravehicular activity alongside American astronaut Anil Menon. The operation began at 12:35 GMT [1]. The two astronauts spent six and a half hours outside the station to replace a communications antenna [1]. This specific repair was necessary to restore the vital link between the orbital station and Earth [2].
During the mission, Adeno expressed the inspirational nature of the achievement. "Let us make our dreams big together," Adeno said [2].
The technical success of the EVA ensures that the ISS can maintain high-bandwidth communications for its crew and scientific payloads. The collaboration between the French and U.S. astronauts underscores the international nature of the station's maintenance and operational goals.
Adeno's presence on the station follows a long gap in French female representation in orbit. By completing the spacewalk, she has expanded the operational capabilities of the European Space Agency's partners, proving that French astronauts can lead critical external repairs in the vacuum of space.
“Sophie Adeno became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk.”
This achievement breaks a quarter-century drought of French women in space and elevates France's status within the International Space Station partnership. By successfully executing a high-stakes technical repair, Adeno demonstrates that French astronaut training meets the rigorous requirements for external station maintenance, moving beyond passenger roles to active operational leadership.
