On June 9, 2026, NASA named Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot of Artemis 3, making him the first European ever assigned to an Artemis crew — and within hours ESA's director general framed the seat not as a courtesy but as the opening move in a ne

On June 9, 2026, NASA named Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot of Artemis 3, making him the first European ever assigned to an Artemis crew — and within hours ESA's director general framed the seat not as a courtesy but as the opening move in a ne — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/on-june-9-2026-nasa-named-italian-astronaut-luca-parmitano-as-pilot-of-artemis-3-making-him-the-first-european-ever-assiContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. NASA Names Parmitano as First European on Artemis III, ESA Pushes for Larger Lunar Rolehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/on-june-9-2026-nasa-named-italian-astronaut-luca-parmitano-as-pilot-of-artemis-3-making-him-the-first-european-ever-assihttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/on-june-9-2026-nasa-named-italian-astronaut-luca-parmitano-as-pilot-of-artemis-3-making-him-the-first-european-ever-assi#u1935Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:27:48 +0000NASA announced Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot for Artemis III, the first European assigned to the mission. The European Space Agency framed the selection as a strategic move to expand its role in lunar exploration. The crew, announced June 9, 2026, includes four men, sparking debate over diversity. The mission, targeted for 2027, will test Orion spacecraft systems ahead of a potential Moon landing.What's confirmed:NASA named Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot for Artemis III on June 9, 2026, making him the first European assigned to an Artemis crew.The Artemis III crew consis