Samantha Cristoforetti it is preparing to conquer another record because it will be the first ESA astronaut, in addition to the first Italian, to command the international space station. The appointment, in addition to the honor of representing my country and Europe, is a source of professional satisfaction. I will humbly try to draw on the experience I have gained in space and on Earth to lead my crew of exceptional people commented the astronaut after the assignment. The choice was made by the representatives of the five owner partners of the cosmic house, namely the NASA and ESA agencies, Japanese Jaxa, Russian Roscomsos and Canadian CSA. Luca Parmitano who had preceded her in the very delicate role immediately complimented her by launching un tweet: Congratulations Astrosamantha. Deserved assignment! Good luck. Both pilots of the Air Force, together they were selected just over ten years ago and together they enter the golden register of ISS commanders.
The departure
Samantha will leave next year (probably in spring) for Expedition 68 aboard Elon Musk’s private Crew Dragon-4 spacecraft, on her fourth commercial flight. In command will be veteran Kjell Lindgreen and novice Bob Hines, plus one more travel companion to designate. It will again be a long-term stay in which she will have above all the role of scientist engaged in dozens of experiments of various nationalities, including those prepared by the Italian ASI. In addition to the impeccable experience demonstrated in his first Futura expedition concluded in 2015, the success achieved by guiding the Neemo 23 mission conducted in 2019 for ten days in the Aquarius underwater station contributed to favoring our astronaut for the new role of responsibility. The particular laboratory immersed twenty meters deep in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean often used in the preparation of astronauts. But while waiting to return to orbit, AstroSamantha had also told about his first flight with a book, carried out a training in Beijing with the taikonauti in the hypothesis of a future joint expedition to the new Tianhe station, and participated in the ESA study for the future settlement on the Moon. Intense years, therefore, but the long-awaited launch assignment has finally arrived.
Samantha Cristoforetti: who, career and interviews
The nomination
The appointment is also a recognition of the excellence of the Italian and European space, underlined the president of ASI Giorgio Saccoccia. Samantha is a source of inspiration for the generation that is participating in the competition to enter the ESA astronaut corps – commented the director general of the space agency Josef Aschbacher – I am looking forward to meeting the final candidates and I take this opportunity to encourage once again women to come forward.
May 28, 2021 (change May 28, 2021 | 22:19)
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