Thales Alenia Space has inaugurated its new “Space Smart Factory” in Rome – one of Europe’s most advanced digital and reconfigurable satellite manufacturing facilities – in a ceremony attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
A joint venture between Thales (67 percent) and Leonardo (33 percent), the company says the €100 million facility marks “a paradigm shift in the construction of space systems”, enabling the production of more than 100 satellites per year using modular cleanrooms, digital continuity, and robotic technologies.
The project received funding from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) through the PNRR recovery plan and additional investment from Thales and Leonardo.
Located in Rome’s Tecnopolo Tiburtino innovation hub, the factory will begin operations by year’s end with integration work on the Sicral 3 satellite for the Italian Defence Ministry.
“Italy soars even higher. With the inauguration of this new Space Smart Factory, we are taking another strategic step to strengthen the national space supply chain and consolidate Italy’s leadership,” said Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprises and the “Made in Italy” policy.
Teodoro Valente, president of ASI, said: “The inauguration of this state-of-the-art facility crowns years of intense efforts by the Italian Space Agency and completes the network of facilities operating throughout the country.”
“I’m especially proud to inaugurate this new state-of-the-art facility, designed to rank among the world’s most advanced for space system production,” said Hervé Derrey, president and CEO of Thales Alenia Space.
Massimo Claudio Comparini, managing director of Leonardo’s Space Division and chairman of the Thales Alenia Space Supervisory Board, described it as “a smart factory that can be reconfigured to produce all types of satellites and constellations using the principle of serialization of activities”.
Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italia, said: “Today, with deep pride and in the presence of Italy’s highest institutional authority, we inaugurated our Space Smart Factory – a modern and fully digital facility and a true technological jewel.”
