Luca Parmitano, Artemis III Pilot: 'I am honored to be part of this incredible group and to be allowed to fly'

Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano is set to embark on a significant journey as the pilot of NASA's Artemis III mission, a crucial test flight slated for 2027. During his official introduction as part of the expedition crew, Parmitano, an integral member of the European Space Agency (ESA), infused his remarks with a blend of humor and emotion as he contemplated the challenges ahead.

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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, 49, brings a wealth of experience to the mission. A former test pilot for the Italian Air Force, he became an ESA astronaut in 2009. His career includes two previous missions to the International Space Station, where he undertook some of the most complex spacewalks in recent history. One particularly harrowing incident involved his helmet filling with water due to a technical malfunction, posing a serious risk to his life.

During a press conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Parmitano shared his anticipation, including a lighthearted wish for familiar flavors. "If I remember correctly, Artemis II also had a very famous Italian chocolate cream. So yes, I hope something Italian appears on the menu," he told reporters. Parmitano humorously described his country's gastronomy as a "UNESCO treasure," adding, "Everyone wants some Italian food."

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Everyone wants some Italian food.

Parmitano will share piloting duties with the mission commander, Randy Bresnik. "We are both test pilots, and the spacecraft requires a two-person crew to operate. We share the responsibilities," Parmitano explained. He admitted that his selection came as a surprise, expressing deep humility in the face of the mission's complexity. "I am honored to be part of this incredible group and to be allowed to fly," he stated, acknowledging the mission as "very complex."

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We are both test pilots, and the spacecraft requires a two-person crew to operate. We share the responsibilities.

The Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2027, is designed to perform a series of critical tests in Earth orbit using two distinct lunar modules. NASA stated that the mission will evaluate systems, procedures, and operational capabilities essential for subsequent Artemis program stages, particularly for Artemis IV and future endeavors aimed at establishing a sustained human presence near the Moon. The primary crew includes Parmitano, Bresnik, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio, all of whom emphasized the international nature of the team and the importance of inter-agency cooperation.

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I am honored to be part of this incredible group and to be allowed to fly.