Space: Air Force captain in the new generation of ESA astronauts

(To air Force)
24/11/22

Captain Patassa, after a degree in Aeronautical Sciences from the Federico II University of Naples and a long period of flight training at the French aviation academy in Salon-de-Provence and the US Sheppard air base in Texas, he obtained his military pilot license in the Armed Forces in 2017.

After several years of employment as a fighter pilot in the Air Force, in 2022 he obtained the qualification of Experimenter pilot at the flight school in Edwards, California with over 1000 flight hours on 30 different aircraft.  

On 22 November 2022 he was selected as a reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA). 

The presentation of ESA's new class of astronauts took place on 23 November at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris. This is the first recruitment of the last 13 years and includes, in addition to Captain Patassa, also the Italian Anthea Comellini. 

Congratulations to Captain Patassa from the large family of the Air Force, Defense and Minister Guido Crosetto.