Luca Parmitano
- Soyuz TMA- 09M (2013 ) ISS Expedition 36
- ISS Expedition 37
Luca Salvo Parmitano ( born September 27, 1976 in Paternò ) is an Italian test pilot and astronaut.
Studies and military
He completed his education in 1995 at the Liceo Scientifico Statale in Catania from. He then studied political science at the University of Naples. At the same time his military training began at the Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli, where he graduated in 2000. During his military career he was trained as a test pilot and has logged over two thousand flying hours in numerous aircraft. In 2009 he got his diploma awarded in experimental flight test technique, which he acquired in Toulouse at the Institut Supérieur de l' Aéronautique et de l' Espace.
Astronauts activity
In the selection of ESA Luca Parmitano won against 8413 other entrants and was presented on 20 May 2009 as the new ESA astronaut along with five other members of the public. The training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne began in September 2009. The official completion of basic training and the appointment of the astronauts took place on November 22, 2010 at an official ceremony at the EAC in Cologne.
On 18 February 2011 the crews were given for the ISS Expeditions 36 to 39 known, Parmitano was assigned to the ISS Expeditions 36 and 37. He was thus the first of its astronaut class, which was assigned to a space flight. Together with Fyodor Yurchikhin and Karen Nyberg he launched on May 29, 2013 Soyuz TMA- 09M to the ISS for six months to work as a flight engineer.
On July 9, 2013 Parmitano conducted the first spacewalk by an Italian. At the second exit on July 16 there is water collected in Parmitanos helmet, after which the work was completed ahead of schedule. The water penetrated into the eyes, ears and nose, so that Parmitano could see in the airlock or hear until it could be removed in the space station of the helmet.
The return to Earth on 11 November 2013.
Award
On 11 May 2005 the cockpit glazing of his fighter plane AMX Ghibli was destroyed by a bird strike at a training flight over the English Channel. Despite limited visibility and without radio support Parmitano succeeded then with the help of his flying in formation colleagues safe landing at the base. 2007 Parmitano was awarded by the then Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, the "Medal for flying courage in Silver" ( Medaglia al Valore Aeronautico d' Argento ).
Private
Parmitano is married and has two daughters.