Paolo NESPOLI

Paolo Nespoli, born on April 6, 1957, in Milan, Italy, is an accomplished astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA). His hometown is Verano Brianza, near Milan. Nespoli’s passion for aviation and technology has driven his extensive career, beginning with his studies in aerospace engineering, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1988 and a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1989 from the Polytechnic University of New York. In 1990, the University of Florence awarded him a Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

After working as a Design Engineer at Proel Tecnologie in Florence, where he contributed to the Italian Space Agency's Tethered Satellite System, Nespoli joined ESA in 1991. As an astronaut training engineer in Cologne, Germany, he played a pivotal role in developing and managing the training programs for European astronauts. His expertise led him to work on the EuroMir project and eventually to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where he supported International Space Station (ISS) missions.

In July 1998, Nespoli was selected as an astronaut by the Italian Space Agency and joined ESA's European Astronaut Corps. His spaceflight career includes three missions. His first, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2007, saw him as a Mission Specialist during the STS-120 mission, which played a crucial role in expanding the ISS. His second mission, the long-duration Expedition 26/27 to the ISS in 2010-2011, involved significant scientific and educational work. His third mission, the Vita mission in 2017, brought his total time in space to 313 days, making him one of ESA’s most experienced astronauts.

Today, Paolo Nespoli is celebrated for his contributions to space exploration, having conducted over 60 experiments during his missions and playing a key role in advancing international collaboration in space.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2024

14-18 October 2024

Milan, Italy

Participation: