International Women’s Day, or Festa Della Donna, is a day dedicated to recognising the brilliance of women across the globe. A time for us to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Without a doubt, Samantha Cristoforetti (Milan, b. 1977) is on my list of inspirational Italian women and here’s why…
Cristoforetti, a former engineer and Air Force pilot, is an Italian European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut. She made history as the first Italian woman to go to space, and was only the second woman ever to be sent into space by the ESA.
But wait, it gets better! She also holds the record for the longest uninterrupted spaceflight by a European astronaut at the time of their first mission. Now, isn’t that remarkable?
The Making of an Astronaut
Becoming an astronaut isn’t a walk in the park, it requires significant time and dedication. Cristoforetti’s passion for what lies beyond our planet flourished during her degree at the Technical University of Munich. She studied mechanical engineering with a focus in aerospace and graduated in 2001. She later trained at the Italian Air Force Academy, where she completed a second degree in Aeronautical Sciences.
Following her second graduation in 2005, she attended the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program in the United States. Earning her pilot wings in 2006, Cristoforetti was already becoming an inspiration for young Italian women.
In 2009, she reached a huge milestone, she was selected to become an ESA astronaut!
The Mission That Changed Everything
In November 2014, Cristoforetti began a journey like no other. She was launched from Kazakhstan to the International Space Station for her first mission, Expedition 42/43, also known as Futura. Making Italian history, she spent a remarkable 199 days in space. This marked the Italian Space Agency’s second long-duration flight opportunity.
But this only fuelled her fire to aim even higher. Fast forward to her second mission…
In April 2022, she returned to the International Space Station, this time with much more experience under her belt. During this second mission, known as Minerva, she assisted with numerous experiments in orbit and served as the mission specialist on both the flights to and from the Station. On this mission, she also carried out her first spacewalk, becoming the first European woman to do so… could she surprise us any further?
A Symbol of Inspiration for Women in Italy
Cristoforetti has definitely left an extraordinary footprint on Italian history.
She has shown that gender is no obstacle to achieving goals in fields traditionally dominated by men. Reaching milestones in the Italian Air Force only pushed her to new heights, evident in her success as an astronaut. As if she hadn’t already achieved enough, in 2015, she was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This recognition highlights her ability to challenge traditional gender expectations and inspire young girls.
Gaining international recognition is one thing, but earning this in the field of science? Now that’s on another level! She encourages others to push boundaries, creating pathways for them to follow in her footsteps.
The Ongoing Impact of Cristoforetti’s Legacy
Did you know that among all the individuals who have ever travelled to space, only around 14% of these are women? That is why Cristoforetti’s legacy is so important.
Women continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Cristoforetti serves as a great role model for change. In fact, she was selected by Mattel to be featured as a new Barbie! When asked about their knowledge of the space industry, most parents could only name male figures. Therefore, this Barbie aims to spotlight an influential role model to encourage more girls to explore careers in STEM and help parents understand the opportunities available for their children.
In a time where women are still in the territory of ‘firsts’, having a powerful role model like Cristoforetti is just what young girls need. Her legacy will continue to inspire new generations of strong women for years to come.
Happy International Women’s Day!
