SPACE IT UP is a program aiming at enhancing the space technology of Italy to be used for space exploration and exploitation for the benefit of planet Earth and the entire humankind. Space exploration. Sending humans and probes into space adds glory to our lives. Nevertheless, several other motivations lie behind the push for manned and unmanned expeditions to our celestial neighbors. Through addressing the challenges related to space exploration we expand technology, create new industries, and help to foster a peaceful connection with other nations. As an example, many innovations in fields ranging from metals and alloys to biology and medicine are the result of space exploration. Some applications — like ceramic coatings, air purification systems, smoke detectors and scratch-resistant glass — are already part of our daily lives. Downstream: planetary protection, space weather and sustainability. Bringing space down to Earth is, on the other hand, one of the main objectives of SPACE IT UP. Improvements of all those activities based on space technology that may result in an application, product or service to the benefit of new and emerging business sectors, from international transport and planetary protection to rural education, will be pursued with strength. These concepts are visionary and still part of a dream that the partners of SPACE IT UP all share. The proposed EP (Extended Partnership) will carry out the foundational research that lies at the basis for realizing this ambitious goal. Italy is one of the few Countries that can face this task; our research facilities and industries possess the unique capability to cover the entire product chain of a space production, from concept to launch. In this regard, particular attention will be focused on the transfer of knowledge and the collaboration between important national Universities, Research bodies, Industries and SME’s. SPACE IT UP proposes 9 thematic areas that need to be focused on to address the challenges that major international players are proposing to enhance the space domination of the mankind, for both downstream and upstream applications. The nine thematic areas will be the focus of nine Spokes; four of those will be “Transversal Spokes” (Spokes 1-4) dealing with enabling technologies and shared disciplines, the remaining “Horizontal Spokes” will deal instead with Earth observation (Spokes 5-7) and Space exploration (Spokes 8-9), see the cover page.
SPACE IT UP project aims at developing innovative ideas and disruptive solutions to make Italy one of the leading countries in space exportation and exploitation. The synergies fostered in the project between academy, industry, and research centres are expected to have a strong impact on the Italian space sector and are aimed at the pursuit of the following main objectives:
PROMOTE INNOVATION AND EXTEND FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
From the earliest days, the exploration and exploitation of space required pushing knowledge beyond its limits. SPACE IT UP will develop breakthrough technology to support and promote future space activities. Moreover, SPACE IT UP contributions will impact several fundamental areas, such as numerical models, innovative satellite architectures and constellations, new mission profiles, advanced instrumentation, and AI-based applications.
FOSTERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Humankind must preserve the planet and space for future generations. Implementing innovative space-based technologies would allow observing climate change and predicting extreme weather events. In addition, SPACE IT UP will propose innovative solutions to enhance the resilience of the space and earth infrastructures to severe space weather.
ENSURE LONG-TERM HUMAN PERMANENCE IN EXTRATERRESTRIAL SPACE
The long-term human permanence in space poses numerous technological challenges that require innovative solutions to be overcome. SPACE IT UP promotes the development of new ideas and the definition of enabling technologies to make humanity a multi-planetary species. The project will address not only technological issues but also those referred to the resource exploitation, in situ manufacturing, circular solutions for sustainable permanence, and neurophysiological aspects.
STRENGTHENING THE ‘ECOSYSTEM’ SPACE IN ITALY
Italy will cover the entire research and development value chain in the space field, thanks to effective coordination between Universities, Research Institutions, and a system of small, medium, and large industries. Furthermore, SPACE IT UP will promote collaborations between partners and new synergies to propose innovative and multidisciplinary solutions. As a result, SPACE IT UP will provide the country with a more robust and competitive space ecosystem.
