April 06

Jean-Marc Boivin was a French adventurer celebrated for his groundbreaking achievements in mountain sports. He set world speed skiing records and was known for rapid descents on skis. Boivin completed pioneering BASE jumps from Mount Everest and other high-altitude peaks. He was also a skilled mountaineer, guiding numerous first ascents in the Alps and Himalayas. As a licensed pilot, he explored remote regions and conducted aerial surveys of mountain ranges. Boivin authored books and films documenting his extreme sports exploits. In 1990, he tragically died during a BASE jump accident in the Italian Alps.

Paolo Nespoli began his career as an Italian Army engineer before being selected by the European Space Agency. He first traveled to space in 2007 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission. Nespoli returned to space in 2010 and again in 2017, spending over 300 days in orbit cumulatively. During his missions, he conducted scientific experiments, spacewalks, and collaborated on International Space Station operations. He has received numerous honors, including the NASA Space Flight Medal and Italian civilian awards. Beyond his astronaut work, Nespoli inspires through public lectures and educational outreach on space exploration.