ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano named pilot for Artemis III mission

NASA announced the four‑person crew for the upcoming Artemis III lunar mission, naming Italy’s Luca Parmitano as the Orion capsule pilot representing the European Space Agency. The crew will also include three U.S. astronauts: mission specialist Frank Rubio, commander Randy Bresnik and mission specialist Andre Douglas, with Bob Hines as a backup.

Earlier this year, the preceding Artemis II flight encountered a propulsion issue in its European Service Module (ESM). Commander Reid Wiseman reported a valve‑related fuel leak that was contained without affecting the main engine performance. NASA is reviewing the incident and plans engineering modifications for future Artemis flights scheduled for 2027‑2028.

Both developments highlight ongoing international cooperation between NASA, ESA and partner agencies as the program prepares for longer lunar stays.