Italy celebrates ESA’s 50th anniversary

Some of the distinguished guests at the event on 8 July at the Italian space agency (ASI) headquarters marking the partnership of Italy and ESA and the 50th anniversary of ESA: here seen on stage, from left, Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation; Teodoro Valente, ASI president; Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano; ESA Astronaut Reserve member ; ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti; ? ; and ESA Astronaut Reserve member Andrea Patassa.