Samantha Cristoforetti - the first Italian woman in space - will soon be back in space, cabinet undersecretary Riccardo Fraccaro said on Thursday.
"I am happy to announce that Samantha Cristoforetti will soon return to orbit. The European Space Agency has signed a formal agreement that ensures Italy's female astronaut a new flight," Fraccaro stated.
"This is due recognition of her immense professionalism and shows once again our excellence in the field of space," he said.
Fraccardo made the remarks at the end of an ESA's ministerial council meeting in Seville, where said that Italy has doubled its funding of the ESA to a record 2.288 billion euros - 16% of the agency's total budget.
Cristoforetti, 42, a Italian airforce fighter pilot and an engineer, is the first Italian ESA female crew member.
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