Aeronautica Militare and CNR: signed “Framework Agreement” of collaboration with University and Industry for the launch of small satellites

Collaboration continues with research institutions, universities and national industries aimed at developing technology for launchers of small innovative aerial platform satellites.

On Tuesday 17 September at the Aviatore's House in Rome, in the presence of the President of the National Research Council (CNR), Prof. Massimo Inguscio, and of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Alberto Rosso, had the signing of the Framework Agreement for collaboration aimed at launching projects aimed at supporting the development of technology for launchers of small innovative aerial-platform satellites.

The Framework Agreement, which is part of the Defense programmatic lines for an increasingly inclusive integration and collaboration between the Armed Forces, academia, research and industry in support of the community, saw the participation of numerous research institutions, universities and industries in order to achieve a common and shared goal, in a perspective of complete synergy of the country system.

"With today's signing the will to put together, in an inclusive logic, the capacities and skills in the space and aerospace sector at national level, within the scope of a project related to the launch of aerospace satellites. To achieve important results it is essential that institutions, industries, universities and research centers collaborate synergistically by sharing knowledge, resources and professionalism. The number of realities present today testifies to the effort and will to team up to serve the country". These are the words with which the Chief of Staff of the Air Force commented on today's event.

Today's signature represents the next step compared to the letter of intent already signed in December 2018 between the Air Force, the CNR (National Research Council), the University of Rome "Sapienza", CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Center) and SITAEL SpA (an Italian company specializing in the production of small-sized satellites) which was followed by a public notice for expressions of interest, through which all national industries wishing to invest in the aerospace sector were invited to participate in the initiative.

21 were the realities of research institutes, universities, and industries that have joined in by betting on their abilities, investing their own resources, with the aim of bringing together, in an inclusive logic, the niches of excellence in aeronautics, space and technology constituted not only by the large ones but above all by the medium and small enterprises of which Italy is rich.

Currently there are many nations that have spatial assets but only a few countries, including Italy, are equipped with a complete chain that goes from the construction of launchers to the management of satellite services. Then there is an even smaller number of States that are able to access and operate, independently and independently, to Space and today Italy is not yet among them. However, the launch of small satellites from aerial platforms could open up new scenarios and offer new opportunities to the country.

The document signed today marks the official start of the activities for a feasibility study for the planning and experimentation of an airborne launching system to support observation and surveillance operations from the air as well as telecommunications.

During the event, the President of the CNR, Prof. Massimo Inguscio stated: "This important agreement with the Italian Air Force, numerous research bodies, universities and national industries will allow Italy to offer Italy new opportunities at the forefront of the world in the development of the technology of innovative small satellite launchers for aerial platforms. The future applications of these researches will bring innovations, new knowledge and benefits in the activity of remote sensing in the field of the study of atmospheric chemistry and meteorology, of the energy balance of the earth system, in the study of ecosystems, in research and control of the territory, of the coasts and the sea, in the field of telecommunications and IT-Information Technology thanks to the collaboration and expertise of the excellent researchers of the CNR research institutes who deal with these issues and research on the territory and in various national and international projects".

The agreement was signed by: Aeronautica Militare, CNR, CIRA, Politecnico di Milano, Department of Sciences of the University of Rome "Roma Tre", AKKA Italia Srl, ALTEC SpA, AON SpA, ARCA DYNAMICS Srls, KAYSER Italia Srl, MECHANICS FOR ELECTRONICS AND SERVOMECCANISMS MES SpA, NPC NEW PRODUCTION CONCEPT Srl, SPECIAL ITALIAN PROJECTS Srl, SETEL Srl, SITAEL SpA, SOPHIA HIGH TECH Srl, SPAZIOFUTURO Srl, T4i Srl, TELESPAZIO SpA, TOPNETWORK SpA, TYVAC INTERNATIONAL Srl.

The aviation launch of small satellites is a field of research and study of great interest to the international scientific community which sees the Air Force - within the Defense Space Plan - responsible for the development and promotion of sector studies for the launch of satellites from aeronautical platforms.

Aeronautica Militare and CNR: signed “Framework Agreement” of collaboration with University and Industry for the launch of small satellites