Umberto Guidoni
Umberto Guidoni
Umberto Guidoniis an Italian astrophysicist, science writer and a former ESA astronaut, being the first European to visit the International Space Station. He is a veteran of two NASA space shuttle missions. He was also a Member of the European Parliamentfrom 2004 to 2009...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionAstronaut
Date of Birth18 August 1954
CountryItaly
basically checking computer cue driving help order using visual
Basically checking the, some of the spec on the computer and also using the visual cue that we have in order to help him in driving the arm.
arm board continue major since station using
Well, we have two major goals. The most important one is to get the station arm on board the station, because that's this really milestone in the space station building since from now on they will be using this arm to continue building the space station.
arm difficult eva order position reach since support using
And since this is a difficult position to reach, we will be using the arm as a support for one of the EVA crewmembers in order to reach this position.
again against delicate massive moving object task
And this will be a very delicate task because, of course, again we are moving a very massive object and we are moving against this station.
gave science uncle
Well, when I was a teenager, my uncle used to give me science book, and he also gave me the first telescope. And I started to look at the stars.
among endeavor experience good held particular people position previous selection
I started this whole endeavor really. And at the beginning we had the selection in Italy. And that was pretty much among people that had held previous experience in that particular satellite. So, I was in that, in a good position then.
accomplish cannot case complete duration order
And so, in case we have contingencies and things that we cannot accomplish within the duration of the space walk, we have a buffer, I mean, in order to be able to complete the... what we want to accomplish.
astronauts coming common cultural speaking station
And not only that but... when the station is completed, there will be an international crew made of astronauts coming from different cultural experiences, speaking different languages, but working together for a common goal.
satellite
And the first flight of the tether satellite happened in '92, and I was the backup on that flight.
activity almost busy rendezvous rest
Because, of course, almost all of the rest of the crewmembers will be pretty busy with this, with the activity of the rendezvous and docking.
arms degrees driving
In particular, this arm has 7 degrees-of-freedom that makes the overall motion of the arm very complex so that, before you start driving the arm, you should be very familiar with all the position it can get.
class space agreement
And since Italy was involved in the space station as well as signed an agreement with NASA. And when the possibility to enter the 1996 Mission Specialist class.
italian agreement design-process
And just when we were at the end of our design process there was the news that the Italian government and the U.S. government had signed an agreement to fly the first Italian astronaut on that flight.
space arms next
When this space walk will be completed, then the arm will be fully operational and ready for the next activity that will be pretty much the testing, the first flight testing of the space station arm.