Facts about Samantha Cristoforetti

1. 06

   On her first mission, Samantha Cristoforetti famously brewed the first espresso in space using the ISSpresso machine aboard the ISS.

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2. 05

   Born in Milan in 1977, Samantha Cristoforetti served as a pilot in the Italian Air Force before becoming an astronaut.

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3. 04

   The European Space Agency selected Samantha Cristoforetti as an astronaut in 2009, as part of a class that included only six candidates.

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4. 03

   During her first spaceflight in 2014–2015, Samantha Cristoforetti set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a European astronaut at the time.

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5. 02

   A fighter pilot by training, Samantha Cristoforetti holds a master's degree in aeronautical sciences from the Technical University of Munich.

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6. 01

   Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti became the first European woman to command the International Space Station, during Expedition 68 in 2022.

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