This visit was part of the International Astronauts Chapter, organized by the IAF, AIDAA, and ASI, and took place during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2024), which is being held this week in Milan.
The tour, led by Telespazio's Vice President of Operations, Gianni Riccobono, included prominent figures such as Japanese astronaut Hoshide Akihiko, who has flown aboard the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, and SpaceX; Hazzaa Ali AlMansoori, the first astronaut from the UAE; and Paolo Nespoli, the retired Italian astronaut who completed three missions aboard the ISS, spending a total of 313 days in space. Future astronauts were also present, including Italy's Anthea Comellini and Andrea Patassa, as well as Austria’s Carmen Possning, all selected as reserve astronauts by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The event fostered international collaboration in space activities and served as a key opportunity to promote scientific and technological advancements in space exploration.