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 NASA Marches Toward Artemis III Mission in 2027, Names Crew Members NASA (.gov) He nearly drowned in space when water filled his helmet, now he's part of NASA's Artemis III crew: Meet Luca Parmitano The Times of India Can NASA really put astronauts back on the Moon by 2028? Here's what's standing in the way Moneycontrol.com Watch: Nasa reveals crew for Artemis III mission BBC 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 DailyNASA Marches Toward Artemis III Mission in 2027, Names Crew Members NASA (.gov)He nearly drowned in space when water filled his helmet, now he's part of NASA's Artemis III crew: Meet Luca Parmitano The Times of IndiaCan NASA really put astronauts back on the Moon by 2028? Here's what's standing in the way Moneycontrol.comWatch: Nasa reveals crew for Artemis III mission BBC by Soban News (international And National News)