The Chief of Staff of the Air Force will be present at the meeting.
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, received Colonel Luca Parmitano, an ESA astronaut, at the Quirinale, to whom he awarded the honour of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Also present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, and the Presidential Advisor for Military Affairs, Air Force General Gianni Candotti.
Coming from the air tactics lines of the Italian Air Force (AMX line at the 32nd Wing in Amendola) and subsequently qualifying as a test pilot on numerous aircraft, Colonel Parmitano was later selected to become an ESA astronaut. In this capacity, in particular, he took part in the space mission ISS Expedition 36/37 Volare (2013), during which he carried out the first extra-vehicular activity (EVA) performed by an Italian astronaut, and subsequently in ISS Expedition 60/61 (2019), of which he was also commander.
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (OMRI) was established in 1952 to recognise merit acquired towards the Nation in the fields of letters, arts, economy, and in the holding of public office and activities carried out for social, philanthropic and humanitarian purposes, as well as for long and distinguished service in civil and military careers. The grade of Knight Grand Cross is the highest within the Order, followed by those of Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight of the Republic.
