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At 15.35 (Italian time) of September 28, 2022 we will be able to watch live the handover for which Samantha Cristoforetti will become the commander of the ISS. There handover ceremony will focus on symbolic passage of a key by the previous commander, Oleg Artemyev e will be broadcast live from the International Space Station on Esa Web TV and NASA TV.
David Parker, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotics Exploration, believes that “Samantha’s wealth of knowledge and experience makes her an excellent candidate for this role. As the first European woman to hold the position of commander, she once again pushes the boundaries of female representation in the space sector“.
The full title of this role is Commander of the crew of the International Space Station. The positions of command are assigned on the basis of joint decisions taken by NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), Jaxa (Japan), ESA (Europe) and CSA (Canada). ESA is represented in this selection process by the Head of the European Astronaut Training Center (EAC) and Program Manager of the ISS, Frank De Winne.
With taking on the new role, it will become the fifth European commander of the Space Station, following in the footsteps of former ESA astronauts Frank De Winne, Alexander Gerst, Luca Parmitano and Thomas Pesquet. He will also become the first European woman to fill this position, fundamental for the success of the Space Station.
While it is the flight directors in the control centers who oversee the planning and execution of the Station’s operations, the Station commander is responsible for work and well-being of the crew in orbit, must maintain effective communication with the teams on the ground and coordinate the actions of the crew in case of emergency situations. Since Samantha will take command of her in the final weeks of her stay on board, one of her primary duties will be to ensure an effective handover to the next crew.
“I am honored by my appointment as commander”says Samantha “and I look forward to drawing on the experience I have gained in space and on Earth to lead a very capable team into orbit“.
The Director General of ESA, Josef Aschbacher, shares Samantha’s perspective. “Samantha’s choice as commander clearly demonstrates the trust and value our international partners place in ESA astronauts. During the Minerva mission, you contributed greatly to the scientific and operational successes of the Station and your intense work will now continue under your command “.
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