Paolo Nespoli in-flight call with President Sergio Mattarella

Date: Wed, Oct 11, 2017 | 09:40 - 10:00 GMT | 11:40 - 12:00 CEST

Type: ESA TV Live

Format: 16:9

On Wednesday 11 October 1140 Rome time, Italian ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli will talk from orbit on the International Space Station with the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella at the Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome.

Paolo is currently living aboard the station as part of the Italian Space Agency long duration mission VITA, which stands for Vitality, Innovation, Technology and Ability. The mission name was chosen by Italy’s space agency ASI, which is providing the mission through a barter agreement with NASA.
Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at the end of July, Paolo will be working on humanity outpost in space for about five months taking part in hundreds of scientific experiments. VITA’s extensive scientific programme includes experiments in biology, human physiology as well as space environment monitoring, materials science and technology demonstrations. All of the experiments make use of the out-of-this-world laboratory (including the European Columbus Laboratory) to improve life on Earth or prepare for further human exploration of our Solar System.
This is Paolo’s third space mission and third visit to the Space Station. He has already clocked 174 days in space with previous missions, one flight on a Space Shuttle in 2007 and a five-month in 2011. On his first mission Paolo took part in the building of the International Space Station - helping to install the Harmony module (known also as Node-2) whose delivery was essential in paving the way for the European Science Laboratory Columbus which arrived the following December.

When not performing science, Paolo, as part of a crew of five astronauts, will work with his colleagues to maintain the Space Station and keep the orbital outpost running smoothly for the crew of six. Paolo’s unique home will allow him to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Satellite Parameters:

Eutelsat 12 West B @ 12.5degW
Transponder F07 Channel C 9MHz
D/l freq: 12635.5 MHz Pol Y
Signal: 1080i/50 MPEG4 420 clear SR: 7200 FEC: 3/4 Mod: DVBS2/8PSK

For any queries re sat receipt please contact the ESA producer Chris Courtenay Taylor at chrisct@worldwidepictures.tv or + 44 7774 275 951