posted 05-03-2011 07:36 AM               

Maria Motta died following an illness at her home Monday evening. She was 78.

Verano Brianza Mayor Renato Casati told The Associated Press that family members have been in touch with Nespoli, who arrived on the space station in December for a six-month stint.

Nespoli, along with an American and a Russian, are scheduled to return to Earth in three more weeks.

"Even if he was prepared for this possibility — he knew about his mother's health problems — it is painful not to be able to be near her at the last moments," Casati said.

This is the second time that Nespoli's space missions that have been clouded by the death of a parent. His father, a banker, died in 2007, shortly before Nespoli launched his first space mission.

Paolo Nespoli mourns his mother

ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli's mother, Maria, passed away on Monday while he is still serving on the International Space Station. The crew honoured Paolo's mother this afternoon with a short ceremony.

Paolo was notified immediately in a private call, following the preference he expressed before the mission for such an event.

Paolo Nespoli with his mother in November 2010. Credit: ESA

Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General, and Thomas Reiter, ESA Director for Human Spaceflight and Operations, contacted Paolo to express ESA's condolences and assure the Italian astronaut of the Agency's support during this difficult time.

"We all are in our minds very close to Paolo and his family," said Michel Tognini, former ESA astronaut and Head of the European Astronaut Centre, "and try to give him sufficient strength in space to cope with this difficult situation and overcome this severe personal loss which is already very difficult in normal conditions, but for Paolo being still on the International Space Station it is even harder.

"There are probably no words that could relieve this sadness but our thoughts are with Paolo, his family and friends."

In order to help Paolo cope with the situation, ESA's flight director and support team have already modified his workload. His return to Earth in a Soyuz spacecraft scheduled for 23 May will not be affected.

The funeral is taking place today in Verano Brianza, near Milan, Italy, starting at 14:30 CEST.

Half an hour later, as the Space Station flew over Italy, the crew stopped work and observed a minute's radio silence.

Thomas Reiter is representing ESA at the funeral, while Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will deliver the condolences of the European Astronaut Corps.

Long-stay crewmembers like Paolo Nespoli are given special briefings and training to help them prepare for being away from home on their expeditions. The preparation covers topics such as family support and the deaths of friends or family.

Exceptional opportunities for communication are provided to the astronaut, keeping him in daily contact with family and friends.

Anyone interested in expressing their condolences to Paolo can send cards to:

Paolo Nespoli
ESA – European Astronaut Centre
Linder Höhe
D-51147 Cologne
Germany

or on Twitter: @Astro_Paolo