The Space traveller

Curious about space, she copied the movements of planets as a nine-year-old.

Her principles of preparation, dedication and diligence helped fulfill her childhood dream; becoming Europe’s first woman astronaut.  

A Captain in the Italian Air Force, she logged over 500 hours flying six types of military aircraft.

Childhood

Samantha Cristoforetti was born on April 26, 1977 in Milan. Her parents ran a hotel in Val di Sole. While her parents took care of the guests, she roamed around and explored the landscape.

Samantha completed her secondary education at the Liceo Scientifico in Trento, Italy, in 1996 after she spent a year as an exchange student in the US.

In 2001, she graduated from the Technische Universität Munich, Germany, with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with specialisations in aerospace propulsion and lightweight structures.

She spent four months at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace in Toulouse, France, working on an experimental project in aerodynamics.

Career

After her graduation, she joined the Italian Air Force Academy.  She served as class leader and was awarded the Honour Sword for best academic achievement. 

She completed the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training in 2006 and became a fighter pilot. She was assigned to the 132nd Squadron, 51st Bomber Wing, based in Italy.

In 2007, Aater receiving her fighter fundamental training, she flew the MB-339 and served in the Plan and Operations Section for the 51st Bomber Wing.

She was selected as an ESA astronaut in May 2009. She joined ESA in September 2009 and completed basic astronaut training in November 2010.

In July 2012 she was assigned to an Italian Space Agency ASI mission aboard the International Space Station, to be launched on a Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in 2014. 

Personal Life

Samantha Cristoforetti loves hiking, scuba diving, yoga, reading and travelling. Other interests include technology, nutrition and the Chinese language.

She enjoys interacting with space enthusiasts on Twitter. Cristoforetti also likes science fiction, especially Star Trek. She speaks five languages.