Protecting our people and planet: IRIDE constellation as a global catalyst for sustainability

Day: Tuesday 15 October
Time: 15:00 - 16:00 CEST
Location: Red Hall, Level 1, North Wing, MiCo Convention Centre

In recent years we have witnessed a significant increase in climate changes phenomena and natural disasters worldwide. Many nations are grappling with this challenge, facing issues related to mitigation, early warning and protection of their population. Substantial progress has been made through the development of new space and ground technologies aimed at ensuring a safe environment for future generations.

The proposed GNF will feature IRIDE, a programme which highlights an end-to-end vision for addressing natural disasters with a focus on Leonardo's leading role in achieving common goals of sustainability. IRIDE represents a model for tackling the last mile problem as it has been conceived with a focus on user needs, enabling the Institutions (e.g. Civil Protection and other Public Administrations) to address hydrogeological instability, wildfires, coastal protection, critical infrastructures monitoring, air quality control and weather monitoring. IRIDE will stimulate innovation and create new opportunities within the space ecosystem, fostering the growth of the Space Economy. Additionally, it will promote the development of new technological solutions and commercial applications by start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and industries in the geospatial sector.

IRIDE is a hybrid Earth Observation constellation entirely made by Italian companies including different classes of satellites with sensors to monitor the planet and supply services. It is a government project funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), managed by ESA with ASI and scheduled for completion by 2026, which represents a further significant Italian contribution to a European programme to safeguard people and planet, complementing Italian (such as COSMO-SkyMed and PRISMA) as well as European programmes like COPERNICUS.

IRIDE showcases the Italian leading role within the European space sector, which sees Leonardo -with its joint ventures and companies Telespazio, e-GEOS, Thales Alenia Space and AVIO- as a key player covering the entire value chain of the space industry -satellites manufacturing, hi-tech equipment and sensors production, satellite services management, geoinformation, propulsion and launching systems- and providing cyber security solutions for space applications.

Opening Remarks

Raffaella LUGLINI

Chief Sustainability Officer, Leonardo Spa

Italy

Moderator

Simonetta DI PIPPO

Director, SEE Lab (Space Economy Evolution Laboratory) SDA Bocconi School of Management

Italy

Speakers

Simonetta CHELI

Director of Earth Observation Programmes and Head of ESRIN, European Space Agency (ESA)

Italy

Massimo COMPARINI

Managing Director, Space Business Unit, Leonardo Spa

Italy

Aarti HOLLA-MAINI

Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

Austria

Teodoro VALENTE

President, Italian Space Agency (ASI)

Italy