RIR AIR wins the tender for the first “Made in Veneto” satellite
RIR AIR (Veneto Aerospace Cluster) has won the Veneto Region’s call for research and development projects thanks to SATCO – Reconfigurable Cognitive Satellite, a two-year project that aims to create a new generation of smart satellites.
The project involves six companies from the Veneto region and two universities: Qascom, Dwave, Zoppas Industries, Officina Stellare, Stellar Project, T4i – Technology for Propulsion and Innovation, Università degli Studi di Padova and Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia.
With a total funding of €1.9 million, €1 million of which is a non-repayable grant, the goal is to develop a satellite constellation capable of adapting to the context and providing on-demand services in various sectors: communications even in areas not covered by mobile networks, Earth observation, climate emergency monitoring, maritime and air traffic control, and support for agriculture and the environment.
“Winning this tender is a significant turning point because it brings together Veneto’s leading companies that are entering the market with even more advanced services. The AIR Network is making enormous progress, and we are truly proud of it, “ commented Federico Zoppas, President of RIR AIR . ” The network is maturing both in terms of expertise and teamwork, and this result is concrete proof of that. Now we must work to make it happen quickly. The ecosystem we have developed in Veneto, with its wide variety, flexibility, and quality of products and services, is capturing the attention of major players. The new Space Economy is, objectively, a driver of growth for the Veneto economic system, not only because of the investments it can activate and attract, but also because of its ability to accelerate research, innovation, training, and therefore employment.”
The first phase of the project will see the construction of a flatsat, a demonstration model of the satellite’s critical systems, which will subsequently lead to the development of the flight-ready satellite.
