ABOUT ASI
The Italian Space Agency was founded in 1988. Its purpose was to coordinate all Italy’s efforts and investments in the space sector that had begun in the 1960s.
Within over twenty years’ time, ASI became one of the most significant players in the world in space science, satellite technologies and the development of mobile systems for exploring the Universe. Today, ASI has a key role at the European level where Italy is the third contributor country to the European Space Agency.
ASI is also involved at the international level: it participates to EU and ESA programmes, it has a close working relationship with NASA and it has begun a cooperation with Russia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Argentina and Kenya. In addition there are relations with other countries such as Israel, Malaysia, Latin American Countries and countries in the Mediterranean.
The three-year activity plan of ASI, updated every year, defines objectives, research programmes, expected socio-economic results and also the resources connected to the research line set by national government and ESA programme.
ABOUT ESA
The European Space Agency is an international organisation with 22 Member States, which undertakes programmes and activities to find out more about Earth, its immediate space environment, our Solar System and the Universe, as well as to develop satellite-based technologies and services, and to promote European industries.