French Astronaut Sophie Adenot Completes Antenna Fix at ISS
Sophie Adenot and NASA astronaut Anil Menon successfully installed a critical communication antenna at the International Space Station during their second spacewalk. The French astronaut returned to finish what stubborn bolts prevented her from completing a week earlier.
Sometimes the toughest jobs in space just need a second try, and French astronaut Sophie Adenot proved that persistence pays off 250 miles above Earth.
Adenot and NASA astronaut Anil Menon completed a six and a half hour spacewalk on August 25, successfully installing a replacement communication antenna on the International Space Station. The mission finished what the pair started on August 18, when stubborn bolts and tight connectors left them racing against the clock.
The two astronauts floated back outside the ISS at 12:27 GMT, with Menon riding the station's robotic arm to reach the work site. This time, everything clicked into place. They removed the faulty Space-to-Ground antenna and connected the new equipment that helps transmit high-bandwidth data between the ISS and mission control in Houston.
For Adenot, a European Space Agency astronaut, this marked her second spacewalk in just seven days. She became the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk during that initial August 18 outing, following in the footsteps of Claudie Haigneré, who became the first French woman in space back in 1996.
The repair work represents more than just a technical achievement. Reliable communication systems keep astronauts safe and connected to ground teams who monitor their health, guide complex experiments, and help solve problems in real time.
Why This Inspires
Adenot's journey shows how space exploration continues opening doors that were closed for generations. She launched to the ISS in February aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, becoming only the second French woman ever to reach space after a 25-year gap.
Her calm persistence through the two-part repair mission demonstrates the problem-solving spirit that defines modern spaceflight. When the first attempt ran out of time, the team regrouped, planned, and came back stronger.
This successful spacewalk marked the 283rd conducted to build, maintain, or upgrade the International Space Station since construction began. Each one represents human cooperation across nations, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together.
Sophie Adenot finished the job, and in doing so, she's inspiring the next generation of space explorers to reach for the stars.
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Based on reporting by Euronews
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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