Italian astronaut appointed to command Artemis III lunar mission

NASA’s Artemis III mission will carry the next crew to the lunar surface. An Italian astronaut has been chosen to pilot the historic flight. The appointment was confirmed by the Italian news outlet RFI. Artemis III aims to land astronauts near the Moon’s south pole. The mission marks a milestone for European participation in deep‑space exploration. The selected astronaut will undergo extensive training for the journey. The crew’s activities will include scientific experiments and technology demos. The flight is scheduled for the mid‑2020s, pending final launch preparations.