Introducing Minerva

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will be launched to the International Space Station in April 2022 for her second space mission, Minerva.

Samantha first flew to the Station in 2014 for her Italian Space Agency ASI-sponsored mission 'Futura'. This time she will be launched on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft from Florida, USA, as part of Crew-4 and serve as lead for all US Orbital Segment (USOS) operations once on board.

This is part of a series of infographics providing insight into her mission name and patch.

Inspired by the Roman goddess of wisdom, the handicrafts and the arts, the name Minerva is a homage to the competence and sophisticated craftmanship of the men and women all over the world who make human spaceflight possible. The goddess Minerva also embodies the toughness and discipline that is required of us, and the wisdom we wish to demonstrate, as we consolidate and expand human presence in space.

Minerva is often depicted with her sacred owl, a key feature of Samantha’s mission patch. The eye of the owl is a yellow Moon, casting a white glow onto a round Earth. Its beak hints at the shape of the International Space Station, with its characteristic solar panels. The two lines also symbolise Samantha’s two missions to space. Waves of ever darker blue make up the body of the owl and encourage us to rise to the challenge and move farther into deep space. The owl looks to the right, to the future of space exploration and adventure off Earth for our planet.