Major in the Italian Air Force, test pilot, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, Luca Parmitano was born in the province of Catania in 1976. Thanks to an intercultural exchange program, he had the chance to get to know the United States and its culture, an experience that deeply influenced his personal life and future career. Today, he lives in Houston with his family.
In 2013, he was assigned as a flight engineer to a long-term mission nicknamed “Volare” on the International Space Station, where he brought his own culinary culture and was the first Italian astronaut to perform spacewalks. An example of Italians’ talent and determination, Parmitano has been appointed Ambassador for the six-month term of the Italian Presidency of the EU Council in 2014.
According to him, it is only a matter of positive thinking and love for life.
From Sicily to Space via Mission Viejo, California, thanks to an intercultural exchange program that marked an important step in your personal and professional life.
‘’The experience that I had at the age of 16-17 certainly represents an essential part of my life path. And the fact that I met my wife on that occasion makes it even more extraordinary.
I recommend participating in an exchange program, because traveling and living abroad means taking a challenge, falling in love with other cultures, and learning a new language. It opens a window onto a completely different and unknown world. Such experiences can change what we are; they can turn us into better and more experienced people. And I found all these aspects very useful in my job as an astronaut: living in close contact with people of different cultures for 6 months requires adapting and understanding skills to break down the cultural and language barrier. Young people can learn these skills by participating in intercultural exchange programs, just like I did.
Your mission brought to outer space not only the Italian excellence in terms of technology and science, but also of culinary traditions with Chef Davide Scabini’s menu. Is Italian food “out of this world”?
‘’That was a very nice touch. First of all, I would like to underline that food is an extraordinary excuse to gather together. This happens on Earth, in Space, everywhere. Human culture is centered around food as an occasion for conviviality: any party and any meeting includes food; we usually meet in restaurants or cafés. It really is part of our culture as human beings.
Italians in particular have always been known for their food quality and passion for cooking. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity to create “space food” I immediately knew how to please my colleagues on the mission. We always eat the same standard food on the station, while I wanted to share with them the Italian culture and culinary talent that I am very proud of.
On that occasion, the European Space Agency recruited a skilled chef able to prepare amazing Italian food for the Space Station, and I am sure that many others will be employed in future Italian and European missions.
When I brought my classical food selection on board – including risotto with pesto, lasagne, and eggplant parmigiana, all typically Italian and Sicilian -, it was a huge success. The food was not only healthy but it also became an occasion to celebrate and relax in a friendly atmosphere, just like an Italian-style party. My stash finished in one night, but everybody kept talking about it for the following 6 months!”
You always look happy and talk about your experience with enthusiasm and simplicity. You are not only an example of success and talent, but also of commitment and determination. What is the message that you would like to convey?
‘’I don’t mean to convey any particular message, it is not my place to do it, I just want to share my experience. I always think positive, as I believe that I have lost the right to be unhappy. I have fulfilled my dream, doing a beautiful job that I love. This is a privilege. Therefore I must be happy, I must think positive, also considering how many young people around me are having a hard time finding a job.
Sometimes they ask me for advice to become astronauts, and I usually reply that not everybody can make it. Dreams can be of different type; each one of us must fulfill his own, giving his own contribution.
My advice to the young people who are still studying or already working is to do what they love, but most of all to love what they do. Sometimes we don’t have a choice, we can only accept the job we do because of the contingencies. In that case as well I’d suggest loving what you do, so that you can be proud of it, improve and do it with enthusiasm. This is how we give our own contribution, from the humblest to the most useful – which can even be the same thing.”
Finally, what does it mean for you to be Italian?
“People say that Italians have creative talent, design… This is true, but other countries have them too. In my opinion, what really makes us extraordinary, what distinguishes us from other cultures, is an insatiable love for life.
I am well aware of how much I do love life, and I believe that it must be lived at the fullest. My activities, my paths, the challenges that I constantly take, the search for new horizons – from exploring Space to overcoming my own limits – are an expression of my love for life. And this is what defines us.”
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