Keynote Speakers

Biography

Samantha Cristoforetti (born 26 April 1977, Milan, Italy) is an ESA astronaut and former pilot in the Italian Air Force, holding degrees in mechanical and aeronautical engineering. Selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009, she has completed two long-duration missions to the International Space Station: Futura (2014–2015) and Minerva (2022), becoming the first European woman to command the ISS. In addition to her spaceflight experience, she has held significant technical and leadership roles within ESA, contributing to exploration programs and leading initiatives in future human spaceflight technologies. In particular, Samantha led the team responsible for establishing and implementing Phase 1 of the LEO Cargo Return Service project, which enhances Europe’s capabilities in low Earth orbit logistics and return services. Samantha is author of the book “Diary of an apprentice astronaut”, published in Germany as “Die lange Reise”. She is an advocate for STEM literacy, and for European technological autonomy.