Overview
- Pesquet, speaking Thursday on France Inter, said it could be likely he will walk on the Moon, though he cannot confirm it yet.
- ESA previously negotiated three astronaut seats tied to Artemis missions expected to support a lunar return around 2028.
- An earlier outline pointed to a German astronaut flying first, with a French and an Italian expected to follow in an order still to be set.
- NASA has scrapped the planned Gateway station, and ESA’s director said Europe will negotiate with NASA to secure its place on future lunar flights.
- Artemis 2 launched April 1 with three men and one woman on a 10‑day lunar voyage as a test step toward returning astronauts to the surface in 2028, and Pesquet noted fellow French candidates Arnaud Prost and Sophie Adenot as part of the roster.