"Since the first flight on April 12th, 1961, incredible achievements have been made. Milestones in human space exploration were achieved and ambitious challenges won where Defence has been and will be an extraordinary protagonist", Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said about the International Day of Human Space Flight.

Air Force Colonel Luca Parmitano added that “Humankind has taken giant strides in space technology and Italy is in the front line with the men and women of Defence, with its heart in history but its gaze turned to the future.”