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 - Space Daily

1. 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  Space Daily
2. NASA Marches Toward Artemis III Mission in 2027, Names Crew Members  NASA (.gov)
3. Revised Artemis lunar lander plans take shape  SpaceNews
4. NASA chief defends selection of all-male Artemis 3 crew  Spaceflight Now
5. NASA management wants a word and won't say why  The Register