Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano will participate in the Artemis III mission. NASA announced the news during an event broadcast live on its website.
The four-astronaut crew will test critical docking capabilities between Orion and commercial manned landing systems, critical steps in delivering astronauts to the lunar surface and enabling future missions to the Moon.
Luca Parmitano will serve as pilot , the only non-American astronaut on the crew. In command is Randy Bresnik, who, like Parmitano, has pilot training. Mission specialists are Frank Rubio , another NASA veteran, and Andre Douglas, who was assigned as a reserve on the Artemis II mission.
"There are many elements that must come together for a space launch, and we need a launch platform. And for me, that launch platform is my country, Italy ," said Luca Parmitano after NASA's announcement. "I am honored by the role entrusted to me . I am also deeply aware of the importance of the task that awaits us ."
The European Space Agency, the astronaut continued, "is like a launch tower, connecting these two worlds, building bridges. Its very nature is to build relationships and bridges, connections, and elevate people to reach their full potential. The rocket, figuratively and literally, is NASA."
"I'm grateful to NASA ," Parmitano continued, " for allowing me to be part of this incredible group of people, this crew, and for letting me fly. But we wouldn't get anywhere without fuel, and the fuel that makes everything move is right here. Maya, Sara, Marta, my extended family here on the crew, in the crowd, you are the energy that nourishes my soul, and your love is the spark that ignites every passion," he concluded, emotionally.
(Unioneonline/vl)
