Paolo A. Nespoli
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Paolo A. Nespoli | |
---|---|
ESA Astronaut | |
Nationality | Italian |
Status | Active |
Born | April 6, 1957 Giussano Brianza,a small city near Milan, Italy |
Other occupation | Italian Army |
Space time | 15 days, 2 hours, 23 minutes |
Selection | 1998 ESA Group |
Missions | STS-120 |
Mission insignia |
Paolo Angelo Nespoli (Giussano Brianza April 6, 1957) is an Italian astronaut. He received his Bachelor's degree in Aerospace engineering in 1988 and his Master's degree in 1989 in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Polytechnic University in New York. Paolo Nespoli now lives in Verano Brianza (Milan). He is single.
[edit] Career
He joined the Italian Army in 1977. In July 1998, he was selected as an astronaut for Italian Space Agency (ASI) and in August 1998, Nespoli was assigned by the European Space Agency to train at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
[edit] STS-120
In October 23, 2007 Paolo launched on board STS-120 to the International Space Station; the Space Shuttle mission which delivered the Harmony module (formerly known as Node 2) to the International Space Station. Harmony was built by Thales Alenia Space at its facility in Turin, Italy. He participated in the mission as a mission specialist and remained in space for 15 day, 2 hours and 23 minutes. During STS-120, he participated in the Esperia mission for the European Community. After landing, the crew of STS-120 visited Italy.