The government focuses on the space sector as a tool for economic recovery and sustainable development. New, important resources are foreseen in the Recovery Plan proposal (Pnrr) and in the complementary fund. “The proposed appropriations for the space amount to approximately 2.3 billion euros, of which 1.49 billion requested from the Resilience and Recovery Device and the rest in the complementary fund”, Bruno Tabacci, Undersecretary of Presidency of the Council for the coordination of economic policy, with responsibility for space.
«It is an important result. Space – observes Tabacci – is one of the technological areas in which Italy maintains a consolidated presence, through a complete supply chain, which deserves our support also to correspond to the objectives of the green and digital transition of the European Union ». According to Tabacci, “these investments will have a strong impact on employment, potentially estimated at a 20% increase in employees, about 1,600 more people for skilled employment. The sector has about 7,000 employees and about 200 companies, three-quarters small and medium and some large ”. The turnover is around 2 billion per year.
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How much does it make to invest in space
The additional resources are spread over the six years of the European plan. The impact is significant if we consider the ordinary allocations, which have grown in recent years. “Italy is, after Germany and France, the third largest European investor through the shareholding in ESA,” recalls Tabacci, who on 21 April in the Chamber described the financing framework. “After the last Ministerial Council in Seville in 2019, Germany allocates a budget of 3.3 billion a year to the ESA, France 2.7 billion, Italy 2.3 billion a year”. Investments generate an important multiplier. «A euro invested in space generates a return from 3 to 7 times».
What projects is the government focusing on with the NRP? “The strategy aims to strengthen earth observation systems for monitoring territories and outer space and to strengthen national skills in the space economy”, summarizes Tabacci, who indicates five “lines of action”: SatCom (satellites and technologies for secure communications and broadband); Earth observation (creation of a high-frequency satellite constellation for revisiting and launching the CyberItaly project); Space factory (integrated lines for the production, integration and testing of small satellites in Italy); Access to space (innovative technologies for the next generation of transport systems); In-orbit economy (ability to provide in-orbit maintenance of satellites and infrastructures). Apart from that there is the issue of launchers, dominated by French industry, in which Italy has acquired an autonomous capacity thanks to Avio’s Vega. “It is a strategic dossier for the country and the government is dealing with it with great attention. Discussions are also underway with other countries, starting with the European partners. A positive note is the return to the flight of Vega », says Tabacci.
Interlocution with France
On March 19, the French Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire and the head of Mise, Giancarlo Giorgetti, talked about the establishment of a working group to strengthen partnerships in pitchers, also open to Germany. What has been done? “I talked about the importance of a” three-legged table “for standing up, the bilateral ones have not given great results,” observes Tabacci. «In these days I will make meetings with the ambassadors of France and Germany, then I will try to see the two ministers. The future of European space technologies requires close collaboration between France, Germany, Italy. We need to think in a format that brings together the interests of the three countries, along a line that is gaining ground in the government’s vision. Space can be part of this common work, not only for launchers, but also for other industrial collaborations, quantum technologies and major sustainability issues on which Italy has expertise, such as that of space debris ». “It will also be important to maintain and develop partnerships with the United States and NASA.” Tabacci intends to visit the 12 regional technological districts. “This weekend we are going to Campania with Minister Luigi Di Maio”.