On 20 July 2019 ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano will be launched to the International Space Station alongside NASA astronaut Drew Morgan and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov. ESA web TV host Dominique Detain caught up with Luca in Star City, Russia, where he is in the final stages of preparation to fly in the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft for his second space mission, Beyond.

During his first mission, Volare, in 2013, Luca spent 166 days in orbit and carried out over 40 European experiments. Dominique asks what is involved in preparation and how training differs this time around.

During the second part of his mission, known as Expedition 61, Luca will become the third European and first ever Italian astronaut to hold the role of International Space Station Commander. He explains what his role entails as well as the significance of flying on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.