Nespoli, Paolo Angelo (1957– )

Italian astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA). He led the EuroMir team that in 1995 developed a computer system for the Russian space station Mir. In 1996 he joined NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) to assist in the training of crews for the International Space Station. Nespoli became an ESA astronaut trainer in 1991. In 1998 he was selected as an astronaut by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI; Italian Space Agency), joined the European Astronaut Corps, and began training at the JSC for a future space shuttle flight. He went on to join the Space Stations Operations Branch of the Astronaut Office.