Staying fit on the space station

Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 43 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed the merits of fitness and nutrition with elementary school students in her native Italy as well as Spain and Austria during an in-flight event March 24. The students are involved in what is known as the “Mission X” competition centered on promoting health and fitness through a healthy diet and exercise. Cristoforetti, who launched to the station in late November, is scheduled to return to Earth in mid-May on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.