# Roberto Vittori

> Italian astronaut

**Wikidata**: [Q448520](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q448520)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Vittori)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/roberto-vittori

## Summary

Roberto Vittori is an Italian astronaut and aircraft pilot who served as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 17, selected in 1998. He holds the distinction of being one of Italy's representatives in human spaceflight and has been recognized with both the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Russian Federation's Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration."

## Biography

- **Nationality:** Italian (citizen of Italy, a country in southern Europe)
- **Known for:** Serving as an astronaut and aircraft pilot; membership in NASA Astronaut Group 17 (1998)
- **Field(s):** Human spaceflight, aviation

## Contributions

Roberto Vittori was selected as part of **NASA Astronaut Group 17**, the 1998 astronaut candidate class, which trained individuals to command, pilot, or serve as crew members aboard spacecraft. As both an astronaut and a qualified aircraft pilot — a person controlling an aircraft in flight — Vittori contributed to international human space exploration efforts representing Italy. His career bridges both atmospheric aviation and orbital spaceflight disciplines.

## FAQs

**What astronaut group was Roberto Vittori part of?**
Roberto Vittori was a member of NASA Astronaut Group 17, which was formed in 1998 to train the next cohort of spaceflight candidates.

**What awards has Roberto Vittori received?**
He has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, a prestigious Italian order of merit established on March 3, 1951, and the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration," a state medal of the Russian Federation instituted in 2010.

**Is Roberto Vittori also a pilot?**
Yes. In addition to being an astronaut, Vittori is recognized as an aircraft pilot — someone who controls an aircraft in flight — making him qualified in both aviation and spaceflight operations.

## Why They Matter

Roberto Vittori represents Italy's contribution to international human space exploration. His selection into NASA's 1998 astronaut class placed him among an elite group of individuals trained for space missions, reinforcing Italy's role in collaborative global space efforts. The recognition he received from both Italy and the Russian Federation underscores the international dimension of his service. Dual-decorated by two sovereign nations, Vittori exemplifies the cross-border cooperation that defines modern space exploration. His background as both an aircraft pilot and astronaut highlights the demanding, multifaceted skill set required for human spaceflight.

## Notable For

- Member of **NASA Astronaut Group 17** (1998 astronaut candidate class)
- **Italian astronaut** — one of a limited number of Italian nationals to serve in human spaceflight
- **Aircraft pilot** — qualified to control aircraft in flight, in addition to spaceflight duties
- Recipient of the **Order of Merit of the Italian Republic**, Italy's order of merit (established 1951)
- Recipient of the **Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"**, a state decoration of the Russian Federation (established 2010)

## Body

### Nationality and Identity

Roberto Vittori is an Italian national. Italy, a country in southern Europe, was formally established in its modern republican form on June 18, 1946, following the Italian constitutional referendum of that year. The prior Kingdom of Italy dated back to its proclamation on March 17, 1861.

### Career as an Astronaut

Vittori is recognized as an astronaut — defined as a person who commands, pilots, or serves as a crew member of a spacecraft. He was selected for **NASA Astronaut Group 17**, the astronaut candidate class brought in during 1998. This group is notable for training personnel for upcoming space missions during a pivotal era of international space station construction and operations.

### Background in Aviation

In addition to his spaceflight credentials, Vittori is identified as an **aircraft pilot**, defined as a person controlling an aircraft in flight. This aviation background is a foundational element of his qualification for astronaut duties, as piloting expertise is a core requirement for many astronaut roles.

### Honors and Decorations

Vittori has been decorated by two different nations in recognition of his contributions to space exploration and public service:

- **Order of Merit of the Italian Republic:** This is an Italian order of merit, originally instituted on March 3, 1951. It is one of Italy's highest civilian honors, awarded for meritorious service to the nation.
- **Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration":** This is a state medal of the Russian Federation, established in 2010. It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of space exploration, reflecting the international recognition of Vittori's work beyond Italian borders.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013