Italy is preparing to play a much larger role in the next era of lunar exploration, with new agreements pointing to a historic milestone: not one, but two Italian astronauts expected to walk on the Moon. According to recent statements by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the update follows high-level discussions with NASA and reflects a significant expansion compared to earlier plans that envisioned only one Italian astronaut.
The announcement highlights Italy’s growing influence within the Artemis program, the international effort aimed at returning humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972. In that earlier era, just 12 astronauts – all American – set foot on the lunar surface. Now, the new phase of exploration is far more collaborative, with Europe and Italy playing a central role.
A key factor behind this development is Italy’s industrial and technological contribution. Italian companies are involved in building critical infrastructure, including advanced habitation modules designed for long-term stays on the Moon, as well as systems for communications and navigation. These elements are essential for establishing a sustained human presence beyond Earth.
The agreement between Italy and the United States also reflects decades of cooperation that date back to 1997, when both countries worked together on the International Space Station. Today, that partnership is evolving into a broader vision sometimes described as “space humanism” – integrating engineering, science, and human-centered design to support life in extreme environments.
While the names of the astronauts have not yet been confirmed, candidates will likely come from the European astronaut corps and reserves. The timeline remains under definition, but the objective is clear: Italy aims to secure a visible and lasting presence in a new lunar economy that could shape space exploration for the next 20–30 years.
