When a spacecraft carrying astronauts to the International Space Station takes off, you are sitting on what can be regarded as a "controlled-release mini-nuke". How do you control your emotions in extreme situations under heavy stress? Through the account of his experiences, Paolo explains how to prepare and train your mind and body in one of the most extreme experiences that humans can live today: travelling towards, and living in, a totally inhospitable space for our species.

Through the reconstruction of the relationship between the US and the USSR, Paolo addresses the subject of how a healthy competition pushes people beyond their limits, thanks to a mechanism of ongoing challenge. How can we deal with change and prepare for growth? Every phase of our lives, whether personal or professional, presents us with challenges that put a strain not only on our abilities, but also on how we approach the most different situations. Finding ways to evolve, to constantly improve and to go beyond one’s own limits is essential for growth.

What does innovation mean? How can we turn new ideas into something really useful? Paolo was fortunate enough to travel in space both on the US Space Shuttle and on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft: starting from this comparison, he helps us discover the reason why the most technology intensive solutions are not always the most effective ones. What are the additional requirements that make innovation actionable in a fast changing world? Our contemporary world, with its ever new opportunities, forces us to think ahead of our time. Technology and innovation, however, must be combined with simplicity and functionality.

What drives us to new heights? What makes us unique? Looking back to the selection phase to become an Astronaut, Paolo shows how his passions have played a decisive role in his career and how this led him to become an Astrophotographer. Passion is one of the distinctive traits of human beings, it is the flame that allows us to face the daily challenges and to achieve the most ambitious goals. Nurturing our passions is rewarding, it allows us to make courageous choices, to dream impossible dreams and, finally, fulfil them.

Through the teamwork behind the scenes supporting the astronauts, Paolo tells us how the Astronauts and the Houston Mission Control Centre work together to achieve superb results. In addition, retracing how astronaut crews train for space missions, Paolo explores how to build a real team and how to appreciate individual team members. In order to achieve ambitious goals, it is necessary to rely on teamwork. The group supports the individual who, in turn, works in synergy with the team. Team members need to be aware of their roles, strengths and weaknesses, and do their best work for a common goal.

Retracing the phases of the incident that occurred during Paolo's first mission, inherent to the construction of the ISS, Paolo addresses the issue of creative problem solving skills as a useful tool to achieve extraordinary results. A proactive, analytical and innovative attitude, applied to teamwork, allows to solve even the most complex problems. Thinking out of the box leads to fresh and useful, concrete yet visionary solutions which, if consciously applied, lead to a collective advantage.

Through the account of his personal experiences in the journey leading him to become an astronaut and through the history of error management by NASA, Paolo helps us understand what an error is, how to recognise it and turn it into an opportunity. In order to achieve dreams that seem unattainable, one needs perseverance, a pinch of courage and a careful analysis of failed attempts. In our own mistakes we can find the greatest resources for learning, trying again, managing to achieve our goals and blazing new trails for ourselves and others.

A common feature among people who had the opportunity to see our planet from Earth orbit is that they have an overall view, known as the Overview Effect. Is our planet really in peril? Or are we? The conditions that allow humans to inhabit the Earth are the result of a very fragile balance: without the thin line of Earth’s atmosphere, our species would not exist. We must therefore personally and collectively engage in preserving the conditions that make our life possible on Earth.

How will the space sector evolve in the coming years?

Paolo walks us through a sector that, according to Goldman Sachs, will be worth more than 1 trillion dollars by 2050. What are the opportunities for Italian and foreign businesses in the space sector? Through Paolo's lens, we will explore the space sector and what impact the discoveries in this sector will have on our daily lives in practical terms.

Did we really land on the Moon? According to Paolo, based on his experience as an astronaut, there is no doubt about it. Through his account of the space race, which took place immediately after the war, and retracing the stages of NASA missions to land on the Moon, Paolo addresses several themes: leadership vs followership, teamwork, the importance of the individual, problem solving.

Almost all the activities carried out on the International Space Station by Astronauts are aimed at conducting research in microgravity conditions. What is the meaning of ‘doing research’ today? What are the mechanisms? And why is it indeed crucial for an advanced civilisation to continue doing research? Paolo shows a journey never seen before through the most advanced contemporary research.