First French woman to spacewalk reflects on experience from orbit

Sophie Adenot has provided a rare perspective from orbit, recounting the details of her two spacewalks in an exclusive interview with France 24 and RFI. The conversation took place while Adenot was aboard the International Space Station, offering a direct account of her experiences in the vacuum of space.

As an astronaut with the European Space Agency, Adenot holds a significant place in national history. She is recognised as the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk and the second female French astronaut to travel to space. Her mission highlights the growing institutional role of France in international space governance.

During the interview, Adenot reflected on the initial sensation of leaping into the vast unknown. She described the psychological and physical transition of moving from the station to the open expanse, a moment that defines the high-risk nature of extravehicular activities.

The interview comes as the space agency prepares for further maintenance operations. NASA had previously scheduled U.S. spacewalk 99, a six-hour task involving Adenot and astronaut Jessica Meir. The mission was designated to include the installation of jumper cables for data-relay systems and the replacement of a high-definition camera on the station’s truss.

These maintenance tasks are critical for the long-term functionality of the station’s infrastructure. The inclusion of Adenot as spacewalk crew member 1 underscores the collaborative nature of the International Space Station, where agencies from different nations work together to sustain orbital presence.

The broadcast serves as a primary source for understanding the human element of space exploration. By focusing on the personal experience of the first French woman to walk in space, the interview reframes technical achievements into a narrative of institutional progress and individual endurance.