NASA's Artemis mission to the Moon will include three European astronauts. One will be Italian, the others French and German. The European Space Agency's Ministerial Council reached this decision. Samantha Cristoforetti and Luca Parmitano, both Italian astronauts, are now training for Artemis. The mission, which is slated for April 2026 but is expected to be postponed, will begin with the launch of a mission to orbit the satellite. Only later (perhaps in 2030) will a space station and actual landing be contemplated. The ESA's budget for the next three years will total €22 billion, which is €5 billion higher than was promised in 2022. The geopolitical landscape, characterized by an intensified emphasis on security, is contributing to this rise. ESA has signed a statement of intent with Poland to build a center for research on dual-use space technology (those with both civilian and military applications). The European Space Agency will consider creating an Arctic Space Center in Tromsø, Norway.