Space It Up! is a national research initiative funded with nearly 80 million euros by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). It brings together leading Italian universities, research centres and companies within a coordinated consortium that aims to strengthen Italy’s scientific and technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving space sector.

The project is structured into 9 interdisciplinary research areas, called Spokes, each focusing on key aspects of space exploration and space-enabled technologies. These areas range from next-generation sensors and robotic systems to human spaceflight, planetary resources, life sciences, space medicine and advanced infrastructures for long-duration missions. Through this structure, Space It Up! supports both fundamental research and applied development, promoting a long-term vision for sustainable human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

By combining academic excellence with industrial know-how, the project addresses some of the most critical challenges for future space missions: resource mapping and in-situ utilization, planetary habitability, robotic mobility, astronaut health and protection, innovative habitat design, and bioregenerative life-support systems. It also strengthens Italy’s capacity to develop enabling technologies such as autonomous systems, advanced materials, bioengineering solutions, communication and navigation architectures, and modelling and simulation tools.

Beyond its scientific goals, Space It Up! fosters a collaborative ecosystem where institutions and companies co-develop knowledge, share infrastructures, and align their research strategies. This approach reinforces national competence, accelerates technology maturation and supports the growth of a sustainable Italian space economy.