Space It Up! launches the first national campaign dedicated to the systematic cataloging of extraterrestrial heritage preserved in Italy. This pioneering initiative aims to comprehensively survey and document extraterrestrial materials held in museums, research institutions, and public collections across the country. The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to enhance the value of this extraordinary scientific and cultural heritage, and on the other, to ensure its accessibility to both the national and international scientific community, fostering new research synergies and broader public engagement. In doing so, Space It Up! seeks to fill a historical gap in the management of extraterrestrial materials in Italy, aligning the country with international standards of cataloging and curation.
The cataloging activities will be conducted in accordance with the national standard BNPL, promoted by the Central Institute for Cataloging and Documentation (ICCD) in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC).
The cataloging records will be made available in open access and fully integrated into the General Catalog of Cultural Heritage, the official database managed by MiC. This approach will ensure maximum transparency and accessibility, allowing both the national and international scientific communities, as well as the wider public, to consult and utilize the data. By promoting open access, the initiative not only enhances the visibility and usability of Italy’s extraterrestrial heritage but also fosters interdisciplinary research, supports educational activities, and strengthens public awareness of the cultural and scientific value of astromaterial collections.
The activities will be carried out within the framework of WP 9.3 “Planetary Resources”, initially involving the universities and research institutions participating in the Space It Up! Project, and subsequently extending the cataloging campaign to additional institutions responsible for the preservation of astromaterial collections. By engaging multiple stakeholders across Italy, this collaborative effort is designed to foster genuine synergies within the national space science community, promoting coordination, the exchange of expertise, and the development of shared methodologies.
The national campaign for the cataloging of Italian extraterrestrial materials will be led by Prof. Giovanni Pratesi of the University of Florence. Additional details regarding the campaign, including specific methodologies, timelines, and participating institutions, will be provided in due course.
Space It Up!, funded by the Italian Space Agency, ASI, and the Ministry of University and Research, MUR, under contract n. 2024 – 5 -E.0 – CUP n. I53D24000060005