Samantha Cristoforetti is an Italian astronaut and engineer, born on April 26, 1977, in Milan, Italy. She is a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and has a background in aerospace engineering and military aviation. Cristoforetti became the first Italian woman to go to space when she flew to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014. During her time on the ISS, Cristoforetti conducted various scientific experiments and contributed to international cooperation in space exploration. She is known for her dedication to promoting science and technology, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in these fields.