100 Day Minerva Mission

ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was flown to the International Space Station on April 27 as part of Crew-4 for her second mission, Minerva. A hundred days later, the Minerva mission is still going well. From conducting cutting-edge research in the world’s only orbiting laboratory to sharing daily life on the space station via TikTok, everything is the order of the day for an ESA astronaut.

Inspired by the Roman goddess of wisdom, crafts and the arts, the Minerva name pays homage to the skill and intricate craftsmanship of the women and men around the world who make manned spaceflight possible. It also embodies the tenacity and discipline required of us and the wisdom we seek to demonstrate as we consolidate and expand the human presence in space. All of these qualities and more were displayed during these first 100 days of mission.

make progress in health

Throughout the Minerva mission, Samantha played an important role in a large number of scientific experiments on the space station, both by European states and international partners.

For example, your participation in audiological studies during the Acoustic Diagnostics experiment helps us understand how background noise – such as that found on the space station – can contribute to hearing problems.

Similarly, Samantha is participating in the Myotones experiment, which investigates the regulation of muscle tone in microgravity and will also provide useful insights to improve medical approaches to muscle rehabilitation.

Research studies like this will not only stimulate medical considerations for future space travel, but also translate to healthcare here on Earth and affect patients around the world.

However, Samantha’s contribution to our understanding of health does not stop at providing data. A passionate advocate for women’s health, she has also done public relations alongside the International Osteoporosis Foundation, filmed videos about the importance of taking care of our bones – both in space and on the ground – and served as a role model with weightlifting.

Shaping the future

In the first 100 days of the Minerva mission, Samantha also conducted several investigations that will influence the design of future spacecraft and habitats, and provide new materials for use on Earth.

For example, she has conducted experiments exploring the antimicrobial properties of metals and hydrophobic (or water-repellent) surfaces in space. The antibacterial materials resulting from these investigations will not only keep future spacecraft hygienic and safe for astronauts, but also help to facilitate the maintenance of sterile medical environments around the world.

Likewise, the results of experiments on the formation and properties of alloy materials – such as transparent alloys – will help us understand what gives alloys their strength, flexibility and durability.

Samantha has also conducted experiments such as the Fluid Science Laboratory’s Soft Matter Dynamics PASTA experiment, which studies the behavior of emulsions in microgravity. Emulsions are used in a variety of industries around the world, including food, cosmetics, and even medicines. Understanding their formation and dynamics will enable us to develop better, greener and healthier emulsion-based products and processes.

stepping out

Samantha completed her first spacewalk in Minerva’s first 100 days. This was not only a first for her, but also the first for a European woman and the first done by a European in an Orlan space suit from the International Space Station.

Samantha worked alongside cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev on a number of tasks including launching nanosatellites into orbit and preparatory installations for the European robotic arm.

Inspirational Earthlings

Breaking new ground isn’t an unusual task for an astronaut, and that’s exactly what Samantha has done online. With a large following on Tiktok, she is the first female astronaut to communicate on the platform, bringing intimate insights into life on the space station to thousands of viewers around the world.

Her Twitter account is also widely followed, sparking renewed interest in space endeavors through her stunning Earth photographs and playful videos. Along with her contributions to ESA’s children’s program, Paxi, Samantha inspires people of all ages about science, technology and more, and educates about the valuable scientific resource of microgravity.

The Minerva mission continues, and with it comes more valuable data and insights, more inspiring reach, and more exciting firsts for Europeans in space.

Happy 100 days of Minerva, Samantha.

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