ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, from Italy, will shortly be ending her long-duration stay onboard the International Space Station. Launched in November 2014, the Futura mission is the result of a special agreement between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI. <br /><br />During her time in orbit Samantha Cristoforetti has undergone an intensive programme of scientific research, educational and maintenance activities, as well as overseeing the undocking of ESA’s fifth – and last – Automated Transfer Vehicle.
