For several years she led the Spaceship EAC initiative, a student-centred team working on the technological challenges of future missions to the Moon. She was then assigned to the role of ESA reserve astronaut, which allowed her to earn her initial qualifications in EVA and robotics, as well as certification as flight engineer of the Russian spacecraft Soyuz.Īfter completing post-flight tasks for her Futura Mission, Samantha was given technical and management duties at the European Astronaut Centre, which included serving on technical evaluation boards for exploration-related projects. She joined ESA in September 2009, and completed her basic astronaut training in November 2010. Samantha was selected as an ESA astronaut in May 2009. Upon her return to Italy, she was assigned to fly the AM-X ground attack fighter at the 51st Bomber Wing in Istrana. Following her graduation in 2005, she attended the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at Sheppard Air Force Base in the United States, where she earned her fighter pilot wings in 2006. She was admitted to the Air Force Academy as an officer candidate, and served as class leader for four years. In 2001, Samantha joined the Italian Air Force.
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