Italian Space Agency celebrates Parmitano's selection for Artemis III mission

The Italian Space Agency (ASI) expressed immense satisfaction following the announcement that astronaut Luca Parmitano will serve as pilot for NASA's Artemis III mission, slated for 2027. This mission is a crucial step in NASA's program to return humans to the Moon.

ASI President Teodoro Valente stated that Parmitano's selection, while not surprising, is a significant achievement. He emphasized that it represents a tangible advancement in the long-prepared process for Italian astronauts to participate in future Artemis missions. Valente highlighted that Parmitano's role "confirms and strengthens the role and capabilities of the European and Italian space system in the human exploration of the universe."

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It is news that does not surprise us but fills us with satisfaction because it implies an advance in the process, prepared for a long time, that will allow the presence of Italian astronauts in future Artemis missions to return to the Moon.

Parmitano, an experienced European astronaut, is set to join a crew that includes mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. The mission's primary objective is to test the docking capabilities between the Orion capsule and lunar landers in low Earth orbit. These systems are intended for the first crewed lunar landing in decades. Parmitano has a distinguished record, having spent a total of 366 days aboard the International Space Station across two missions, during which he conducted six spacewalks, including one where he faced a life-threatening situation when his helmet began to fill with water.

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confirms and strengthens the role and capabilities of the European and Italian space system in the human exploration of the universe.