🎧 Behind the scenes at @esa.int's Columbus Control Centre, where teams work 24/7 to support astronauts like @soph-astro.esa.int and keep science running in orbit 🚀
Hear from a Columbus flight director on #ESAExplores:
🔊 pod.link/1463873320
📺 esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
@dlr-en.bsky.social
"Day 117, orbit 1811 — Science is what drives us during a mission, but behind every piece of data sent back to Earth, there are many systems quietly at work. Many thanks to all the engineers and technicians who make research run smoothly on board 🙏" says @esa.int astronaut Sophie Adenot.
🎥 ESA/NASA
👨🚀🌕 Congratulations Luca Parmitano on being assigned as Artemis III pilot! 🚀
"Day 119, orbit 1845 — Events like #ILA2026 provide valuable opportunities for the European aerospace sector to connect, strengthen partnerships & unlock new synergies, while inspiring the next generation of aerospace professionals & pilots. Go Europe, go ESA!" says @esa.int astronaut Sophie Adenot.
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano:
✈️ +2000 hours flying time on 40 types of aircraft
🌌 366 days in space, International Space Station commander, +30 hours spacewalking
👨🚀 ESA liaison at NASA Johnson Space Center, CAPCOM & training @esa.int astronauts
🌊 Artemis Underway Recovery Test 12
🚀 Artemis III pilot
🚀 Our first two European Service Modules powered the Artemis I and Artemis II missions - now our third European Service Module will propel again the next flight, its engines used by Artemis III pilot Luca to test the technologies we need to go back to the Moon 👨🚀🌙
#ICYMI: @esa.int astronaut Luca Parmitano will pilot Artemis III 🥳
👨🚀 Luca will use our European Service Module engines to manoeuvre Orion and test docking for future lunar landing missions 🌙
With 366 days in orbit & 2000 flying hours, we know Luca is exactly the right person for this role 🚀
The hunt for water on the Moon is 🔛
Our @esa.int's Prospect package will drill beneath the lunar South Pole in search of water ice and oxygen to fuel future exploration. Launch is set for 2027 🚀
👀 Curious about the mission? Meet Prospect at #ILA2026 or at esa.int/prospect
#Space4Future
Luca Parmitano, Artemis III pilot, in his flight suit.
www.esa.int
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Video
Our astronaut Luca Parmitano is assigned as pilot of NASA’s #ArtemisIII mission.
With Europe powering Orion with the European Service Module, this mission will test the critical operations preparing for humankind's return to the Moon.
A strong step forward for ESA–NASA partnership.
📸 NASA
