Sophie Adenot to perform first French woman spacewalk

French astronaut Sophie Adenot is scheduled to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA) on August 18, making her the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk. The mission, expected to last approximately six and a half hours, will take place at the International Space Station (ISS).

Adenot will be accompanied by American astronaut Anil Menon. Their primary objective is to replace a critical antenna on the Z1 segment of the station, which is essential for maintaining high-speed communication between the ISS and the mission control center in Houston, Texas.

The operation requires extensive physiological preparation, including breathing pure oxygen for several hours to purge nitrogen from the body to prevent decompression sickness. The astronauts will utilize the American Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), a specialized pressurized suit designed for the hostile vacuum of space.