Background on Italy’s Space Sector:
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian space industry has remained resilient. With an annual turnover of $2.4 billion, Italy’s industrial base covers the entire value chain, from the upstream (satellite infrastructures and launching systems) to the downstream sector (services and applications). The industry is characterized by a few large system integrators able to assemble complex systems and a wide community of interconnected small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) accounting for 80 percent of the national market. Italy’s 200 enterprises, 12 technology clusters, and 3 industrial associations are driving advances in human spaceflight and exploration, supporting a tracking and data relay satellite system, and contributing to international missions contributing orbiting, equipment and surface elements.
The Italian Space Agency is a signatory country to the Artemis Accords, the United States-led program to bring the first woman and the next man to the moon. Italy aspires to participate in a variety of programs, including the first mission of the Space Launch System (with the small ArgoMoon satellite), to the Lunar Gateway project (HALO, Habitation and Logistics Outpost) driving the European Ihab.
Under Artemis, new opportunities may be expected in 3 main areas: building crew habitation for the lunar surface, conducting scientific experiments on the lunar surface, and providing communications technology for the project. Human spaceflight programs are also a key focus for the Italian defense community.
The Italian Government’s proposed Recovery Plan includes about $15 billion for the aerospace and defense industries, mainly for large programs. For the Space economy, the Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) has included $1.2 billion for public-private partnerships. The goal is to strengthen the national aerospace, defense and security industrial chain.
Program Overview
– The program will commence with a February 22, 2022 webinar highlighting opportunities in Italy’s space sector. Free to all participants.
Register for the webinar at this link.
Introduction
Isabella Cascarano, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy;
Welcome
Thomas Smitham, Chargé d’Affaires U.S. Embassy;
Aniello Violetti, Space Attaché, Italian Embassy in Washington D.C.;
Massimo Claudio Comparini, Italian Federation for Aerospace, Defense and Security Industries (AIAD) and Association for Space-based Applications and Services (ASAS);
Rosario Pavone, Secretary of AIPAS, Association of Italian Space Enterprises;
Neal Newman, Deputy Director, Aeronautics and Cross Agency Support Division, Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR), NASA;
Silvia Ciccarelli, Head of Industrial Internationalization Office, International Affairs Directorate, Italian Space Agency (ASI);
Nik Smith, Regional Director UK and Europe, Lockheed Martin Space.
– From February 23-25, 2022, we will host a virtual matchmaking platform for U.S. firms to connect and network with interested Italian supply chain firms, primes and partners.
Registration for Business to Business Matchmaking:
Please click on the link to register for the matchmaking portion of the program.
Select the appropriate business category (i.e. US firm versus Italian firm).
Fill out all required company information.
Questions?
Please contact: Melissa.Grosso@trade.gov; Paul.Matino@trade.gov; or Maria.Calabria@trade.gov
Source: U.S. Embassy to Italy
