Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano named Artemis III pilot, meets PM Meloni

Astronaut Colonel Luca Parmitano, an ESA veteran with two long‑duration ISS missions, was selected by NASA as the pilot of the Artemis III lunar mission scheduled for launch in 2027. The appointment marks the first time an ESA astronaut will hold a piloting role on a U.S. moonflight.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received Parmitano at Palazzo Chigi, where she congratulated him, saying the role “gives lustre to the whole nation and confirms the excellence of Italy in the space sector.” During the meeting she presented the official chromatic Italian flag that will accompany the mission as a symbol of the country’s ingenuity and pride. Parmitano described Artemis III as a “100 % experimental mission” that will test critical systems for future lunar landings, including manual docking and close‑range operations.

The ceremony underscores Italy’s growing involvement in international space exploration and highlights the diplomatic significance of the astronaut’s role as a bridge between ESA, NASA and the Italian government.