A new private space mission could include Italian astronaut Walter Villadei, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in Rome on November 2. The mission, named Axiom 5, is expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the Interministerial Committee for Space and Aerospace Research Policies, known as Comint.
Villadei is a colonel and pilot in the Italian Air Force, with a background in aerospace engineering. Born in Rome in 1974, he graduated from the Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli and earned an aerospace engineering degree at the University of Naples Federico II.
He took part in Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 01, the company’s first commercial spaceflight. Under an agreement between Axiom Space and Italy’s Ministry for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition, Villadei was named a reserve crew member for Axiom 2. He later served as pilot on Axiom 3, which launched on January 18, 2024.
During Axiom 3, known in Italy as Voluntas, Villadei piloted SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. He spent 21 days and about 16 hours in space, including 18 days aboard the International Space Station, and participated in experiments on microgravity, human health and space technologies.
Sources: Il Sole 24 Ore Italia.