Artemis III: they are the astronauts of the next US mission that includes an Italian and one of Salvadoran origin

“I apologize in advance if I get emotional,” commented Parmitano, the first European to integrate this type of missions. “I am honored by the role I have been given and the task ahead.”

“I thank NASA for allowing me to be part of this incredible group of people, this crew, and for letting me fly,” he added, thanking his family in a broken voice.

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He referred to Italy as his “launch pad” to space and the European Space Agency as a bridge, calling NASA “the rocket, both figuratively and literally.”

The Artemis II mission, carried out in April, included a manned lunar flyby, but the third phase will remain closer to Earth.

Primary objectives of the trip include testing the capabilities of NASA’s Orion spacecraft, as well as a rendezvous with lunar landers developed by private space companies SpaceX and Blue Origin.

The mission schedule has been compromised after the explosion of the New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ company, during a ground test at the end of last month.

During Tuesday’s event at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, Blue Origin’s John Couluris acknowledged the “significant anomaly” but insisted the company’s lander will be ready for Artemis III in time. “We have redoubled our efforts and are moving forward,” he said.