A few days before her launch to the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti recorded this greeting to mark 50 years of European cooperation in space. The greeting was played to an event held at ESRIN, ESA’s centre for Earth observation in Frascati, Italy.

2014 marks 50 years since the start of European cooperation in space. In 1964, the Conventions of ELDO and ESRO entered into force. Just over a decade later, ESA was established, replacing these two Organisations.

Samantha Cristoforetti launched to the ISS on 23 November 2014 for her Futura mission.

Follow the Futura mission online at:
http://www.esa.int/futura

Connect with Samantha on social media:
http://samanthacristoforetti.esa.int