Roberto Vittori
An Italian test pilot who became Europe's veteran space traveler, bridging the gap between the Shuttle era and the International Space Station.
Born 1964 (age 62)·Italian astronaut·Birthday: October 15·Baby Boomers
Biography
Roberto Vittori's path to space was carved through the skies as a fighter and test pilot for the Italian Air Force, a background that forged the cool precision he brought to orbital flight. Selected as an ESA astronaut, he embodied the international spirit of space exploration, flying on three fundamentally different spacecraft: the American Space Shuttle, the Russian Soyuz, and later, designing future missions. His first mission in 2002 made him the first Italian to visit the International Space Station, where he conducted pioneering scientific experiments. Vittori's subsequent flights, including a long-duration stay, saw him operate as both a shuttle crew member and a station flight engineer, making him a crucial operational link between spacefaring nations. More than just a passenger, he leveraged his pilot's expertise to contribute to spacecraft design and safety, helping to steer Europe's independent ambitions in human spaceflight while cementing his legacy as a versatile and dependable pathfinder.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Roberto was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Roberto Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Roberto's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Italian to board the International Space Station during the STS-134 shuttle mission in 2002.
- Completed three spaceflights using three different spacecraft: the Space Shuttle, Soyuz TMA-6, and Soyuz TMA-13.
- Served as a backup crew member for several ISS expeditions, demonstrating his key role in European astronaut corps.
- Awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his contributions to space exploration.
Did You Know?
He is a qualified test pilot who graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland.
On his 2011 mission, he delivered the 'DAMA' experiment, which included a copy of Galileo's "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" to the ISS.
He has logged over 35 days in space across his three missions.
“From the cockpit to the capsule, focus is your only companion.”
