Event Details:
Panel 1: The Geopolitics of Space
The opening panel, The Geopolitics of Space, will explore global dynamics, policies, and the role of international cooperation in shaping humanity’s future beyond Earth. Leading the discussion is Emilio Cozzi, one of Italy’s most recognized voices in science communication, journalism, and the cultural narrative of space.
Cozzi is vicedirector of Zero magazine and director of the Space Economy section at Forbes Italia and Cosmo. He hosts the television program Forbes Space Economy on Sky 511 and over the years, has written extensively on space, technology, and video game culture for L’Espresso, Wired Italia, Il Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore, and Italian Tech. Beyond journalism, he has contributed as a scientific consultant to documentaries such as Starman and Space Beyond, and authored books including Io sono Pow3r (2020), L’esplorazione dello spazio (2021), and Spazio al Futuro (2021).
In his latest work, Geopolitica dello Spazio (The Geopolitics of Space), offers a compelling journey through the evolution of space activities and some highlights on the growing influence of private entrepreneurship, introducing key concepts like astropolitics, space law, and the new space economy in a way that is both rigorous and accessible to experts and enthusiasts alike.
Panel 2: Startups and Innovation
The second panel will spotlight the startups that are redefining the European space economy. Leading ventures such as IONION, FAST Aerospace, Leaf Space, and Apogeo Space will present their cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurial visions, showcasing how innovation is transforming access to space.
IONION, a startup founded by Luca Cassano and Elia Lazzeri from the Politecnico di Milano together with Gianluca Furano, IONION develops secure, high-performance processors based on RISC-V technology for aerospace, automotive, IoT, and critical infrastructures. As a participant in the ESA Business Incubation Centre, the company aims to revolutionize the semiconductor industry with customizable and resilient solutions.
FAST Aerospace, established in 2024 by five young engineers from the Politecnico di Milano, FAST Aerospace is developing HyperDart, a supersonic launch system designed to simplify and accelerate small satellite deployment. Unlike traditional rockets, HyperDart can operate from existing airports and is 95% reusable, dramatically reducing infrastructure costs and environmental impact while enabling faster, more sustainable access to orbit.
Leaf Space, a company that started from a small project in 2014 to one of Europe’s leading Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) providers. Leaf Space operates a global network of 36 ground stations, offering seamless satellite connectivity through its LEAF LINE service. This infrastructure enables satellite operators to perform mission-critical communications efficiently, supporting a rapidly expanding constellation market.
Finally, Apogeo Space, founded in 2015, is building Italy’s first private LEO satellite constellation to deliver affordable IoT telecommunication services worldwide. By connecting low-power, low-data-rate devices in remote and underserved regions, the company is democratizing access to satellite communication and empowering businesses across industries to innovate with space-enabled solutions.
Together, these companies highlight the transformative role of newspace startups in Europe, showing how entrepreneurial vision and technological breakthroughs are making space more accessible, sustainable, and integral to the global economy.
Panel 3: The European Launch Market
The final panel will focus on Europe’s role in the global race for launch services, featuring presentations from Avio, alongside an academic perspective from the Aerospace Department (DAER) represented by Professor Stefania Carlotti.
Avio, a leading company in space propulsion, will present its competitive solutions for launching institutional, governmental, and commercial payloads into Earth orbit through its Vega rocket family, and discuss the recent transfer of Vega C launch operations, marking a significant step in enhancing Europe’s independent access to space.
PoliSpace Student Projects
Between panels, PoliSpace members will showcase their latest student-led projects:
- 6S CubeSat: A student-made single-unit satellite designed for solar cells and structural battery testing in space, aiming to investigate power generation and storage in space.
- MEEVA-V2: An advanced medical equipment system for extravehicular activities, including a vest with integrated sensors and cooling systems, a helmet with electronics and telecommunication systems, and psychological self-assessment evaluation tools.
- Rover Kairos: A rover developed for the European Rover Challenge, created by [R]overTech, a student team from Politecnico di Milano. The rover features a robotic arm and drone, developed in collaboration with AEA, the association of Automation Engineering students. The team aims to engage high school students and make their research publicly accessible.
These projects showcase hands-on innovation, collaboration and research excellence, highlighting the PoliSpace and Politecnico di Milano space community.
How to participate:
Admission to the event is free of charge; however, please be aware that space is limited. To secure your attendance, please reserve your seat now by clicking the button below.
