International Space Station astronauts Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency and Anil Menon of NASA completed a challenging spacewalk on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The duo successfully removed a failed space-to-ground antenna from the orbiting laboratory. The complex operation, designated US Spacewalk 97, lasted 6 hours and 23 minutes.This marked Adenot's first spacewalk, making her the first French woman to venture outside the station.[space+5]
Critical Communications Link Removed
The spacewalk began at 8:29 a.m. EDT (12:29 GMT) when Adenot and Menon switched their spacesuits to battery power.Their primary objective was to replace a critical space-to-ground antenna on the station's Z1 truss structure.This antenna had stopped working in November, unable to track NASA's data relay satellites.A backup antenna has been in use to maintain communications.[space+6]
The antenna is vital for high-speed data and voice communications between the ISS and Mission Control in Houston.Without it, astronauts cannot transmit scientific data or communicate effectively with teams on Earth.Mission planners had initially allocated about six and a half hours for the full removal and replacement.However, the astronauts faced unexpected difficulties.[nasa+10]
They encountered delays while disconnecting electrical cables and loosening gimbal bolts, or pins, that secured the large dish assembly.These unexpected challenges meant the crew ran out of time to install the new replacement antenna.The old antenna was secured to a temporary stowage location.[space+4]
NASA astronaut Anil Menon reflected on the experience, stating, "We got into this with the mindset that we wanted everything to go perfectly. Things were a lot different than expected, but what I would say that I am really impressed with is that all of those contingencies were well thought out."[space]
A Historic Spacewalk for France
For Sophie Adenot, this spacewalk was a historic moment. She became the first French woman to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA) and the fifth French citizen overall.Mission Control in Houston welcomed her to space as she and Menon completed their initial checks.Adenot's spacewalk also made her the second European woman to conduct one, following Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti in 2022.[space+7]
Adenot joined the European Astronaut Corps in 2022.She launched to the International Space Station in February 2026 as part of SpaceX Crew-12, beginning a long-duration mission for Expedition 74/75.Before becoming an astronaut, Adenot was a distinguished French Air and Space Force Colonel and the first female helicopter test pilot in France.She holds degrees in engineering and human factors engineering from ISAE-SUPAERO and MIT.She has logged more than 3,000 flight hours across 22 different types of helicopters.[en+16]
Menon's Second Journey Outside
This spacewalk marked Anil Menon's second time outside the International Space Station.His first spacewalk occurred less than two weeks earlier, on August 6, 2026.During that 6-hour, 27-minute excursion with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, Menon prepared the station's power system for the installation of future roll-out solar arrays.That spacewalk was briefly delayed due to an unexpected carbon dioxide sensor reading in Menon's spacesuit, though the sensor returned to normal after he removed the suit.[space+19]
Menon, a NASA astronaut selected in 2021, arrived at the ISS on July 14, 2026, aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft.He is an emergency medicine physician and a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Space Force.He previously served as SpaceX's first flight surgeon, helping to establish the company's medical program for human spaceflight.Menon also worked as a NASA crew flight surgeon for several ISS expeditions.[nasa+15]
Ongoing Station Maintenance
The International Space Station relies on continuous maintenance and upgrades to remain operational.This spacewalk was the 282nd in support of the station's assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.The ISS has been continuously inhabited for over 25 years, requiring regular repairs to its complex systems.[tribune+11]
The successful removal of the failed antenna ensures that the station can proceed with the replacement. Mission planners on the ground will now review the procedures and schedule the installation of the new antenna during a future spacewalk.This next spacewalk is tentatively planned for Tuesday, August 25.[nasa+1]
This critical work by Adenot and Menon highlights the ongoing efforts required to maintain the International Space Station as a hub for scientific research and international cooperation in space.
