Luca Parmitano will pilot NASA's Artemis III mission in 2027, bringing an Italian voice to humanity's return to lunar exploration. The 49-year-old astronaut, selected by the European Space Agency in 2009, will share the spacecraft's controls with commander Randy Bresnik as they test two lunar modules in a mission that represents a landmark moment for European space leadership on the world's most ambitious space program.
For Parmitano, the honor carries deeper significance than the mission itself. As the first European pilot on an Artemis mission, his selection signals something the astronaut believes matters profoundly: that NASA views Europe not as a supporting player, but as an indispensable partner. "When NASA chooses a European astronaut to be a pilot, it is sending a strong message that our leadership is understood, that our cooperation is valued, and that our technical expertise is solid," he told AFP, speaking with the careful pride of someone who carries his nation's flag into space.
A former Italian Air Force colonel, Parmitano is no stranger to extraordinary challenges. He has completed two missions aboard the International Space Station, where he performed complex spacewalks that tested both his training and his nerve. During one particularly harrowing moment, his suit's cooling system failed and his helmet began filling with water—a near-fatal incident that he survived through quick thinking and the support of mission control. Those experiences have seasoned him for what lies ahead.
For Artemis III, he expects to share the pilot's seat equally with commander Bresnik. "We are both test pilots, and the spacecraft needs a crew of 2 to fly it, so we share the responsibilities," Parmitano explained. The mission is complex, he noted, and he approaches it with both excitement and profound humility. The 49-year-old father of two daughters spoke of being "honored" by the role, though he admitted the assignment came as a surprise. He had not known he was being considered for the position.
The full crew reflects the truly international character of modern space exploration. Joining Parmitano and Bresnik are astronauts Frank Rubio, who is of Salvadoran descent, and Andre Douglas, an African American astronaut embarking on his first spaceflight. Parmitano said he and Douglas "immediately bonded" upon learning they would fly together, and he welcomed the diversity of ages and backgrounds that the crew brings. "It just enriches the crew in general," he said.
Even the smaller details matter to Parmitano, who speaks proudly of representing his homeland. He expects something distinctly Italian to appear on the mission menu—a tradition born from the fact that Italian food carries UNESCO treasure status, he noted with a touch of humor. During the Artemis II mission in April, the crew enjoyed Texas brisket and tortillas, but a jar of Italian Nutella also made its way into the orbiting Orion spacecraft, a small reminder that on humanity's greatest ventures, even the everyday comforts of home belong in space.
As he prepares for 2027, Parmitano wears a uniform adorned with both the Italian flag and the ESA patch—symbols of the partnership he represents, and a visual reminder that Europe's voice, expertise, and commitment are essential to reaching the Moon.