President Giorgia Meloni welcomed ESA astronaut Colonel Luca Parmitano at Palazzo Chigi on 1 July 2026. Parmitano has been chosen by NASA to pilot the Artemis III mission, scheduled for launch in 2027 to support humanity’s return to the Moon. Meloni congratulated the Italian Air Force officer on the prestigious appointment, noting it reflects Italy’s excellence in the space sector. At the end of the meeting, she presented Parmitano with a formal colour specimen of the Italian flag, which will accompany the Artemis III mission as a symbol of Italian ingenuity, identity, and pride. The flag specimen, displayed in Palazzo ChGi’s ceremonial hall, symbolizes Italy’s participation in international space exploration. The meeting underscored Italy’s ongoing collaboration with European and U.S. space agencies.
© Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Italy.
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