Italy
Avio seeking to compress Vega launch delays
Italian rocket builder Avio will keep a team of launch personnel in French Guiana from May through August in the hopes of completing three Vega launches this year, notwithstanding coronavirus-related slowdowns.
Virgin Galactic to fly Italian Air Force research mission
Virgin Galactic signed a contract Oct. 2 with the Italian Air Force to fly a set of research payloads, and three people, on a future SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceflight.
Italy to increase space projects with “mirror programs” of European agencies
The Italian Space Agency has launched a new initiative to strengthen Italy’s space expertise by leveraging domestic companies to build spacecraft that complement pan-European programs.
Italian team to build satellite for European Commission’s Govsatcom project
The Italian Space Agency on July 23 kick-started development of a communications satellite that Italy will share with other nations as part of the pan-European GovSatCom program.
Arianespace Vega launches Italian imaging satellite
European launch provider Arianespace conducted its third launch of the year March 21, orbiting a remote-sensing satellite for the Italian Space Agency on a Vega rocket.
Italian Space Agency head dismissed
A week after the sudden firing of Roberto Battiston as the head of the Italian Space Agency, the reasons for his ouster remain unclear while a grassroots effort is underway to restore his job.
Italian military mulls smaller GEO satellites so it can launch them on Vega rockets
The Italian Ministry of Defense may use two satellites to replace a single existing satellite so that it can use the Italian-led Vega C or Vega E rocket, according to a defense official.
Virgin space companies sign new agreements with Italy
Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit announced a set of agreements July 6 with Italian companies and the Italian Space Agency that could lead to suborbital and orbital launches from a proposed Italian spaceport.
Germany trades P120 booster production for Ariane 6 turbo pumps, upper stage carbon fiber research
European Space Agency member states have agreed to keep all production of P120 solid rocket boosters in Italy instead of opening a second production line in Germany.
Italy’s Sitael gets Platino contract for Vega-optimised small satellites
The Italian Space Agency on Dec. 19 signed Sitael as the prime contractor for a new 200- kilogram small satellite line called Platino, meant to pair Italy’s strength in light launch with an aptly designed product.
