Space policies towards SMEs implemented by the Italian Space Agency (ASI)-Industrial Associations cooperation initiative to encourage innovative space applications and services in Italy

Paper number

IAC-11,E6,1,3,x11209

Author

Mr. Osvaldo Piperno, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Silvia Ciccarelli, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Rosario Pavone, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Luigialberto Ciavoli Cortelli, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Giacomo Primo Sciortino, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy

Year

2011

Abstract

This paper offers a contribution of how space industry applications and services are encouraged in Italy. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) has been implementing a specific policy mainly focused on space SMEs, that are a strategic portion of space industry in Italy, able to fulfill very well the requirements of the demand of innovative applications and services, both institutional and private. For this reason ASI is engaged in a three-year cooperation agreement with the national Space Industry Associations (namely AIAD, AIPAS and ASAS), with the aim of promoting an effective industrial policy for the development and growth of Italian SMEs. 
The framework of reference of this cooperation agreement is wide and ranges from the periodical issue of thematic ITTs (according to a co-funding pattern) specifically reserved to SMEs to a detailed analysis of the population of space SMEs in Italy: competences, geographical distribution, organization in clusters (namely Space Technology Districts, an evolution of the more traditional experience of Industrial Districts), international cooperation, etc. 
This paper analyzes the effects of these policies on the involved space SMEs at the end of the first year of the cooperation agreement (February 2011), mainly through the identification of quantitative and qualitative indicators of growth and market development (new and already existing markets both public and private) of space services and applications: pre-competitive prototype technologies/products/services development, ex-post analysis of the economic sustainability and permanence of these markets, industrial competitiveness at the international level (both at the ESA/EU and extra-European countries level).
This ASI-Associations platform is strongly engaged also in the involvement of the Large System Integrators community, the Italian Government (specifically the Presidenza del Consiglio) and the local communities (Technology Districts, Regions and Municipalities) in order to create a coherent national system aiming to support the growth and development of Italian Space SMEs.

Abstract document

IAC-11,E6,1,3,x11209.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-11,E6,1,3,x11209.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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