NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to strengthen international collaboration and promote the peaceful exploration of space. Beginning Thursday, Nelson will visit Italy, Vatican City, and Saudi Arabia to engage with key government and space officials in each country.

In Italy, a longstanding partner in human spaceflight and Earth science, Nelson will meet with President Teodoro Valente, as well as officials from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and other institutions. Discussions will focus on current and future collaboration, including Italy’s involvement in the Artemis campaign to return humans to the Moon, partnership on the International Space Station, exploration missions to Mars and Venus, and Earth science initiatives aimed at better understanding our planet.

Following his visit to Italy, Nelson will travel to Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with officials from the Saudi Space Agency and other government representatives. The discussions will center on potential future collaborations and the significance of civil space cooperation for the broader relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Nelson will also engage with students to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, encouraging them to become active participants in the Artemis Generation.