Umberto Guidoni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Umberto Guidoni
OMRI |
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Guidoni in 2001
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| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 20 July 2004 – 13 July 2009 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1954 Rome, Italy |
| Political party | Party of Italian Communists (2004-2009) |
| Occupation | Astrophysicist, Science writer |
| Space career | |
| ASI/ESA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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27d 15h 12m |
| Selection | 1996 NASA Group (16) |
| Missions | STS-75, STS-100 |
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Mission insignia
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| Retirement | June 2004 |
Umberto Guidoni (born August 18, 1954, in Rome) is an Italian scientist who studies space, a writer, and a former ESA astronaut. He was the first European to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He flew on two NASA Space Shuttle missions. From 2004 to 2009, he was also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Contents
Guidoni's Amazing Space Journey
Becoming an Astronaut
Umberto Guidoni studied astrophysics at the Sapienza University of Rome and earned his doctorate in 1978. After that, he worked for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the European Space Agency (ESA). These agencies help plan and carry out space missions.
One of his early projects was the Tethered Satellite System. This system involved a satellite connected to the Space Shuttle by a long cable. It was designed to study how objects move in space when connected.
First Trip to Space
Guidoni trained as a backup for a mission that would test the Tethered Satellite System. His first actual spaceflight was in 1996. He flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on a mission called STS-75. This mission included the second flight of the Tethered Satellite System.
Visiting the International Space Station
In 2001, Guidoni made his second trip to space on the Space Shuttle mission STS-100. This was a very special mission because he became the first European to visit the International Space Station (ISS)! The ISS is a huge laboratory orbiting Earth where astronauts from different countries live and work.
During this flight, the Space Shuttle Endeavour carried important parts to the ISS. It brought the Raffaello module, which is like a moving storage unit for the station. It also delivered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), which is a giant robotic arm. This arm is used a lot to help build and maintain the ISS.
Life After Spaceflights
After his space missions, Umberto Guidoni continued to work for ESA. In 2001, he helped prepare equipment and experiments for the Columbus Laboratory. This laboratory is Europe's main contribution to the scientific research done on the International Space Station. He stopped being an active astronaut in June 2004.
Working for Europe
Member of the European Parliament
In June 2004, Umberto Guidoni was elected to the European Parliament. This means he became a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). MEPs are elected by citizens to represent them and help make laws and decisions for the countries in the European Union.
As an MEP, he worked on committees that dealt with money, industry, research, and energy. He also worked on a temporary committee about Climate Change. He helped create a plan for research and innovation in Europe. He also worked to protect the freedom of the press.
Sharing Science with Everyone
Science Writer and Speaker
Umberto Guidoni loves to share his knowledge about space. In 2007, he hosted a radio show called "From the Sputnik to the Shuttle." In this show, he talked about the most important moments in the history of space exploration.
In 2009, he hosted another series about the amazing Apollo missions that went to the Moon. He later turned these radio shows into a book called "From the Earth to the Moon."
Guidoni is very active in making science popular and easy to understand. He organizes events about space. He has written many articles and books, including books especially for children. Some of his books for young readers include "Martino on Mars," "Astrolibro," "Voglio la LUNA" (I Want the Moon), and "Guida per Giovani Astronauti" (Guide for Young Astronauts).
Awards and Recognitions
Umberto Guidoni has received many honors for his work as an astronaut and scientist:
- On April 15, 1996, he was made a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This is a high honor given by the President of Italy.
- On May 11, 2001, he was promoted to Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, an even higher honor.
- For his first spaceflight (STS-75) in 1996, he received the NASA Space Flight Medal.
- He received a second NASA Space Flight Medal after his second spaceflight (STS-100) in 2001.
- For his achievements in space, NASA also awarded him the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2002.
An asteroid was even named after him! The asteroid 10605 Guidoni was discovered in 1996.
See also
- Astronaut-politician
