ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Completes Second Spacewalk
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and NASA astronaut Anil Menon successfully completed the US EVA-98 spacewalk at 20:57 CEST on August 25, 2026. This marked Adenot's second spacewalk and the 32nd conducted by a European astronaut.
The spacewalk lasted 6 hours and 30 minutes, during which the astronauts installed and activated a spare Space-to-Ground Antenna (SGANT). This task completed work initiated on August 18, which was delayed due to stuck bolts and connectors on the failed antenna.
The EVA commenced at 14:27 CEST when the astronauts switched their suits to battery power and exited the Quest airlock. Key activities included the installation of a foot restraint on Canadarm2, operated by NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway from inside the station. Menon used Canadarm2 to retrieve the spare antenna, while Adenot worked independently along the station's exterior.
At the Z1 truss, Adenot prepared and mounted the new antenna, made electrical connections, removed gimbal locks, and installed a thermal shield. The failed antenna was retrieved and stowed permanently. The EVA concluded with both astronauts returning to the airlock, logging a cumulative 12 hours and 53 minutes of EVA time across Adenot's two spacewalks.
This operation marked the 283rd spacewalk supporting the International Space Station's assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.