Astronaut Luca Parmitano Talks About Artemis III Mission

RN Breakfast

Topic: Space Exploration

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 12:01 pm

In short:

Luca Parmitano is the first European astronaut to join the Artemis program.

He worked with the Australian Space Agency in Adelaide.

What's next?

The Artemis III mission will launch in late 2027 to return humans to the Moon.

Astronauts have been looking at Earth from space for over 25 years. Luca Parmitano saw the Black Summer bushfires from space and was sad.

Luca Parmitano took pictures of the bushfires from space.

He was watching the fires from 400 kilometers away and thought about the beauty of nature disappearing.

Luca Parmitano said the bushfires were devastating and he felt sorry for Australia.

He spent a week in Adelaide and liked the environment and people.

Luca Parmitano took pictures of the bushfires to show people what was happening.

He feels responsible to share his ideas so people can act on climate change.

Luca Parmitano says space exploration can unite the world amid conflicts and climate change.

Luca Parmitano has completed two long missions to the International Space Station.

He likes to bring good news when he is on the news.

Artemis III crew is getting ready for a new phase.

Luca Parmitano was selected for the NASA Artemis program in June.

He was emotional and humbled by the opportunity.

Luca Parmitano will pilot the next Artemis mission.

He is a trained military pilot with over 20 years of experience.

Nothing could have prepared him for the call to join NASA.

The Artemis III mission will not land on the Moon but will orbit Earth.

Luca Parmitano was emotional when he accepted the role as Artemis III's pilot.

The Artemis III crew will launch in 2027.

Luca Parmitano's daughters are used to him being away for space missions.

They are excited about the Artemis III mission.

Astronauts prepare for space in different ways.

Luca Parmitano has explored space and other frontiers.

He is a 'cavenaut' and 'aquanaut' and uses those skills for space missions.

Luca Parmitano is a certified 'cavenaut' at the European Space Agency.

There are two ways to train for complex operations: simulation and analog.

Luca Parmitano will rely on his crew mates to complete the Artemis III mission.

He will be joined by three US astronauts on the mission.

The Artemis II crew has experience and skills for the mission.

Luca Parmitano is a veteran of two space missions.

He was a natural fit for the Artemis III crew.

Luca Parmitano has a diverse background as a test pilot.

The sky is not the limit for Luca Parmitano.

The Artemis II mission was a success and broke records.

One in six Australians watched the Artemis II launch.

The Artemis II mission offered a bright spark in a grim news agenda.

Luca Parmitano hopes to build on the success of Artemis II.

The Artemis III crew is excited and wants to do well.

Luca Parmitano hopes to be part of the next human Moon landing.

He is focusing on the Artemis III mission.

Luca Parmitano is young and can still dream big.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 12:01 pm

Header image: Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano in space.

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