Italian astronaut hopes for Italian food on NASA's Artemis III mission

Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano is set to pilot the upcoming Artemis III mission, a NASA test flight scheduled for 2027. During his official presentation, Parmitano, an experienced member of the European Space Agency (ESA), expressed a lighthearted hope for Italian cuisine during the expedition.

"If I remember correctly, Artemis II also had a very famous Italian chocolate cream. So yes, I hope something Italian appears on the menu," Parmitano told reporters. He highlighted his country's gastronomy as a "UNESCO treasure," noting that "everyone wants Italian food."

Parmitano, 49, previously served as a test pilot for the Italian Air Force before joining ESA in 2009. He has completed two missions to the International Space Station, including complex spacewalks. One mission involved a life-threatening incident where his helmet began filling with water due to a technical failure.

During the press conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Parmitano explained that he would share piloting duties with mission commander Randy Bresnik. "We are both test pilots, and the spacecraft needs a two-person crew to operate. We share the responsibilities," he stated. Parmitano admitted his designation was unexpected and expressed feeling "very humble" about the mission's complexity, calling it an "incredible group" to be a part of.

Artemis III, slated for 2027, will focus on critical orbital tests using two lunar modules. NASA stated the mission will evaluate systems and procedures essential for subsequent Artemis missions, including Artemis IV, which aims to establish a sustained human presence near the Moon. The crew includes Parmitano, Bresnik, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio, all of whom emphasized the international nature of the team and inter-agency cooperation.