The first of ESA’s new generation of astronauts, Luca Parmitano from Italy, is about to undergo a long-duration stay onboard the ISS. After what will be the second ever same-day launch and docking to the station in a Russian Soyuz capsule, Parmitano’s duties as flight engineer will include overseeing the docking of ESA’s penultimate Automated Transfer Vehicle and two spacewalks. During six months in orbit he’ll also be carrying out an intensive programme of experiments in microgravity.