French astronaut Sophie Adenot slated for first French spacewalk in August

French astronaut Sophie Adenot, currently aboard the International Space Station, is being prepared for an extravehicular activity (EVA) in August 2026, according to a NASA document released on 30 July. The mission would make her the first Frenchwoman and the second European woman to conduct a spacewalk, following Italy’s Samantha Cristoforetti. NASA official Bill Spetch said the agency will announce the EVA crew composition as the date approaches; the first EVA is scheduled for 6 August, with two further operations planned for 13 and 25 August that involve antenna replacement and other maintenance tasks. The last French astronaut to walk in space was Thomas Pesquet, who completed six EVAs during his two ISS stays.