Space: Sophie Adenot, first French woman to perform a spacewalk

2026-08-18

A historic page in French space exploration is about to be written. This Tuesday afternoon, astronaut Sophie Adenot will become the first French woman to perform a spacewalk. This particularly technical mission involves carrying out repair work outside the International Space Station (ISS).

For the European Space Agency (ESA), this event holds major symbolic and scientific importance. Daniel Neuenschwander, a director at the agency, emphasized that this spacewalk "is very meaningful for France." It confirms the country's central role in international space programs and demonstrates the excellence of the training received by French astronauts.

Preparing for this mission required months of intensive training. Stepping out into the vacuum of space is a complex operation that requires absolute precision, as astronauts must handle specific tools while wearing a pressurized suit. Sophie Adenot, selected from thousands of candidates, has become an iconic figure of the new generation of European explorers.

This spacewalk marks an important milestone for France, which is thus strengthening its presence in space. As missions to the Moon and Mars are at the heart of international debates, the success of this operation is being followed very closely by the French scientific community and the general public.