Samantha Cristoforetti will no longer be commander of the International Space Station. The European Space Agency announced that it had revised the flight plan of the mission that saw the Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti become commander of the ISS but our astronaut of records was still assigned the role of crew leader 4 (Dragon Crew 4) e Samantha will also lead the orbital segment of the United States (Usos) which “includes US, European, Japanese and Canadian Space Station modules and components.” In a statement on its corporate website, the ESA recalled that “in May 2021 it was announced that the ESA astronaut and specialist of the Dragon Crew-4 mission Samantha Cristoforetti would be commander of Expedition 68a of the International Space Station (ISS)“but” as part of normal vehicle scheduling, the Space Station’s flight schedule was recently updated by adjusting the next crew rotation for Crew-4 and Crew-5. “A rotation, ESA explained, which involves “a shorter mission for Crew-4”, therefore, “Expedition Iss 68a will take place after Samantha leaves the Station”.
“Throughout her time on board, Samantha will lead the US orbital segment (Usos), which includes US, European, Japanese and Canadian Space Station modules and components. ” “Although this means that Samantha will no longer be the commander of the International Space Station, the Group supports it as a leader “
and in any case
Cristoforetti “will continue to be fully trained for the position of commander and it was agreed that, if the program were to return to the initial one, it would enter this role “explained the head of the European Astronaut Center, Frank De Winne.
“As crew members, we are ready to contribute as needed. I am honored to serve as the head of Usos and this role includes most of the duties I would have had as commander, but I also recognize that many people in Europe, especially women, have been inspired by the prospect of having the first European female commander of the ISS“commented the Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. “I’m sorry this doesn’t happen on my flight, but – added Cristoforetti – we are selecting a new class of astronauts and I am confident that this class will include highly competent and motivated women who will be ready, in the future, to fill leadership roles “.