NASA Selects Italian Astronaut Luca Parmitano as First European for Artemis III Mission
NASA has selected Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano to pilot the Artemis III mission in 2027, making him the first European astronaut in the agency's lunar exploration program. The four-member crew will conduct orbital tests of lunar landers and docking procedures in Earth orbit rather than on the moon as originally planned. Parmitano's selection represents a significant role for European space agencies in NASA's ambitious return-to-the-moon initiative.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced that Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano will serve as pilot for Artemis III, joining US astronauts Randy Bresnik (commander), Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio as mission specialists, with Bob Hines as backup. The 2027 mission will conduct critical orbital tests of the Orion capsule's docking with two lunar landers, essential preparation for Artemis IV—the first crewed lunar South Pole landing planned for 2028. Parmitano, 49, was selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009 and brings extensive spaceflight experience including two ISS missions and multiple spacewalks. His selection follows Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen's participation in Artemis II, which successfully orbited the moon in April 2024. The choice is viewed as a boost for Italy and the European Space Agency's role in international human spaceflight exploration.
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- Deutsche WelleCenter
NASA picks first European astronaut for Artemis mission
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