European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Chrisoforetti (right), the Italian Deputy Ambassador Mr. Luca Franchetti Pardo (left) and Consul General to Houston Ms. Elena Sgarbi (not pictured) met in the Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas on June 15, 2015 on the occasion of Christoforetti's return from the International Space Station. The Italian astronaut spent nearly 6 months in space where she was a Flight Engineer of Expedition 43.