Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano named to Artemis 3 crew, leapfrogging German candidates after NASA strategy shift
NASA and ESA named Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano to the Artemis 3 crew, bypassing German candidates Alexander Gerst and Matthias Maurer after a mission redesign that replaces a lunar landing with Earth-orbit docking tests.
Crew announcement in Houston
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the Artemis 3 crew on 9 June 2026, naming Italian ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano as pilot alongside commander Randy Bresnik and mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. Bob Hines was designated as backup. The selection marks the first time a European astronaut will fly on a NASA Artemis mission, though the flight profile has changed substantially from earlier plans.
I feel honoured by the role I have been given. Above all, I am grateful.
Parmitano, 49, is a former Italian Air Force test pilot who was selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009. He has flown to the International Space Station twice, in 2013 and 2019, and has extensive docking-manoeuvre experience. Addressing his family at the Houston event, he said: "You are the energy that nourishes my soul, and your love is the spark that ignites every passion."
A surprise for Germany
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher had stated in late 2025 that the first European on a lunar mission would be a German, followed by French and Italian astronauts. German ESA astronauts Alexander Gerst (50) and Matthias Maurer (56) had repeatedly expressed their eagerness to take that slot. Aschbacher did not explain why Parmitano was chosen instead, saying only: "We could not have wished for a better pilot."
Here at ESA there is genuine pride in knowing that, alongside the NASA commander, a European astronaut will be involved in piloting this mission.
It remains unclear whether a German astronaut will fly on Artemis 4 or whether the seat must be renegotiated with NASA. The original plan had called for a European to join no earlier than Artemis 4.
Mission redesign: no lunar landing
Isaacman announced a strategy change for Artemis in late February 2026. Artemis 3, now slated for 2027, will not travel to the Moon. Instead, the Orion spacecraft will operate in low Earth orbit (LEO) while the crew tests docking with one or two lunar landing systems. Isaacman cited competitive pressure: "With steadily increasing credible competition from our greatest geopolitical adversary, we must move faster, eliminate delays, and achieve our goals."
- ESA chief Aschbacher says first European on a lunar mission will be German, then French and Italian
- NASA chief Isaacman announces Artemis 3 strategy change: no lunar landing, Earth-orbit docking tests instead
- Artemis 2 flies crew of three Americans and one Canadian to lunar vicinity without landing
- Artemis 3 crew announced: Italian Luca Parmitano named pilot, German candidates passed over
- Artemis 3 scheduled to launch to low Earth orbit for docking tests
- Artemis 4 and Artemis 5 could attempt lunar landings
What comes next
NASA aims to establish a permanent presence on the Moon through the Artemis programme. Two lunar landing missions, Artemis 4 and Artemis 5, could follow as soon as 2028, though the programme has a history of delays. Artemis 2 flew a crew of three Americans and one Canadian to lunar vicinity in early April 2026 without landing, the first such journey in more than half a century.
Swiss and other European roles
Swiss ESA astronaut Marco Sieber's first flight date remains undetermined, ESA told the Keystone-SDA news agency. Aschbacher's 2025 commitment named German, French, and Italian astronauts as the first three Europeans on lunar missions, but the reshuffled Artemis 3 assignment leaves the sequencing unsettled.
