Supported by an initial investment of 80 million euros from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), the creation of the Limited Liability Consortium Company (SCARL) “Space It Up” has the objective of positioning Italy at the forefront of space innovation.
The signing of the SCARL took place in the presence of the Rector of the Polytechnic of Turin, Stefano Corgnati and other eminent members of the sector, testifying to Italy’s commitment to strengthening its presence in space. “Space It Up” involves a large network of Italian universities, research centers and companies, all united with the aim of advancing space research and developing new technologies.
THEProfessor Erasmo Carrera, new president of the Board of Directors of SCARLunderlined the importance of this collaboration: “This is a significant step for our country. With ‘Space It Up’, we are creating an ecosystem that spans the entire space value chain, from basic research to industrial development, facilitating innovative exchanges and promoting shared growth.”
The newly created SCARL will operate on nine main lines of research called “Spoke”, including planetary protection, sustainable development, and space exploration which will involve hundreds of researchers. A particular focus will be placed on the development of digital twins and advanced remote sensing technologies, which will allow us to monitor and respond more effectively to climate change and natural threats.
“Space It Up” not only aims to strengthen the Italian space sector, but also to ensure commitment to training and professional growth to prepare the next generation of space leaderswith the establishment of student support programs and collaboration with academic institutions.
The coordination of Space It Up is entrusted to the Hub structure based at the Polytechnicwhich will work both to carry out research activities and to propose the consortium and its members in national and international space projects of particular relevance for Italy.
“Be coordinators of the Space It Up partnership – declared the Rector Stefano Corgnati – it is a source of great pride for the Polytechnic of Turin. We will work in close collaboration with all partners, research institutions and industries in the sector, to position the national space sector ecosystem as a leader at European and international level. The contribution of our territory will also be strategic, capable of covering the entire space supply chain, from upstream to downstream, thanks to its consolidated research, innovation and industrial skills and the strong synergy between all the actors involved. A key element will be the development of joint innovation infrastructures between the world of research and the world of industry, a shared playground in which knowledge, products and services can grow”.
The 33 partners of the project:
Space It Up involves 13 universities (Polytechnic of Turin, Polytechnic of Milan, University of Naples “Federico II”, La Sapienza-University of Rome, University of Padua, University of Trento, Gran Sasso Science Institute, University of Bologna, University of Pisa, Polytechnic of Bari, University of Florence, University of Calabria and University of Rome “Tor Vergata”), 10 public and private research centers (National Research Center-CNR, National Institute of Astrophysics-INAF, National Institute of Nuclear Physics-INFN, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology-INGV, National Institute of Metrological Research-INRiM, Italian Institute of Technology-IIT, Euro-Centre Mediterranean on Climate Change-CMCC, National Agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development-ENEA, Bruno Kessler Foundation and LINKS Foundation), 10 companies (Leonardo, TAS-I, Telespazio, Altec, E-Geos, Cira, Sitael, Argotec, TYVAk and Mapsat).