Italy is one of the few countries in the world to possess a comprehensive and competitive chain of products and services specialised in the space- and aerospace industry. This heritage of cutting-edge technological expertise is expected to further strengthen through investments in space start-ups and technology districts.
Italy is one of the first countries in the world to have launched a civilian satellite into orbit, the San Marco 1, on 16 December 1964. Further, and by virtue of the know-how of its experts and researchers, Italy represents the third country in terms of contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA).
The Italian Space Agency (ASI) owns the most innovative space vehicle built to date, the satellite Prisma. The Prisma was developed by a group of undertakings headed by OBH Italia, the company responsible for the mission, along with Leonardo SpA, which designed the onboard instrumentation, and started its space travel in 2019.
Several important centres involved in the aerospace industry are located in Rome, the candidate city for hosting Expo 2030, as well as in its neighbouring areas. One of these centres is the ESA-ESRIN. The ESRIN is based in Frascati and boasts expertise in the field of research and development of innovative technologies. It represents the European centre for management of satellite missions dedicated to Earth observation.
In terms of multilateral cooperation, the Italian Space Agency plays a prominent role. Along with important agreements with NASA, the ASI has a central position in European space cooperation, together with the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN). Moreover, on 30 November 2021, the ASI signed an MOU with the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), represented by its General Director Christian Hauglie-Hanssen.
MOU with Norway: https://www.asi.it/2021/11/siglato-memorandum-of-understanding-tra-italia-e-norvegia/
Link to NOSA (Norsk Romsenter): https://www.romsenter.no/eng
From beIT: Link to beIT Aerospace: https://madeinitaly.gov.it/technologies/
Link to the video on aerospace: https://youtu.be/m5yvn6gOYek
Link to the video of D-Orbit: https://youtu.be/c5UC2-YZ4vo
Other links:
Link to ESRIN: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESRIN/ESRIN_overview
Video on Italian Space Industry: https://youtu.be/cjkpzhox2QE
