ESA – S. CORVAJA)
Tonight, 29th April 2011, NATO Defense College Ancien, Colonel Roberto Vittori, will be launched to the International Space Station, leading as a Mission Specialist the final flight of NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour with the STS-134 mission, started in November 1981.
We are very proud to announce that one of the Anciens of the College, a courageous Italian astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA) born in Viterbo on 15 October 1964, is taking part in such an important space mission, during which Roberto will deliver a pioneering scientific experiment.
Roberto Vittori graduated from the NATO Defense College Senior Course 108 in 2006 and one year after, in December 2007, completed a Master’s Degree in Physics. He will be the last European to fly on a Shuttle, as well as the first ESA astronaut to make a third visit to the ISS, which sets a European record.
Furthermore it will be his first flight on the Space Shuttle with such a mission, named “DAMA”, that could be of paramount importance for understanding the origin, nature and evolution of the Universe.
The NATO Defense College is greatly honoured to have had the presence of Roberto Vittori – Colonel in the Italian Air Force – and would like to wish him all the success with his historic “DAMA” mission.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Mr Patrick Marrone, ITA C)
NATO Defense College