ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, from Italy, will shortly be ending her long-duration stay onboard the International Space Station. Launched in November 2014, the Futura mission is the result of a special agreement between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI. During her time in orbit Samantha Cristoforetti has undergone an intensive programme of scientific research, educational and maintenance activities, as well as overseeing the undocking of ESA’s fifth – and last – Automated Transfer Vehicle.