The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have
initiated the first sponsorship programme enabling businesses to
participate in the world’s largest international science and technology
venture in space. The programme will offer Italian and European companies
the opportunity to join the agencies in sponsoring scientific and
technological research by astronauts on board the ISS.
Sponsoring such research will contribute to the understanding of human
physiology, prevention of diseases, such as osteoporosis, studies on
reduction of environmental damage caused by industrial processes, and the
creation of new materials and proteins, for the benefit of humankind.
ESA and ASI are looking for businesses that have a mission or ideal
consistent with improving the quality of life on Earth and are committed
to sustaining research in space, including the involvement of astronauts
in these experiments over the coming years.
This is an opportunity for major Italian and European corporations to
discover space as a promotional medium, enabling them to project a new
image with consumers as committed supporters of improving the quality of
life on Earth. The space research setting will show their brands in a
uniquely new light.
The two Agencies have entrusted ALTEC, which utilises the professional
expertise of Campobase, with development of the overall marketing strategy
for this new sponsorship initiative. The first sponsorship opportunity
will be the “Taxi Flight” to the ISS in April 2002, on which one of the
crew will be Roberto Vittori, a European astronaut from Italy.
For more information, please contact:
ESA Media Relations Office
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690
ASI Press Office
Tel: +39.06.856.7235
Fax: +39.06.841.6265
