Italy and the Unites States of America explore new frontiers in space – from the Moon to Mars.
There is a new horizon that unites Italy and the United States and is located well beyond the boundaries of Earth. The Italian Trade Agency–ITA – Huston Office, and the Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C. under the auspices of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) presented the 2025 edition of Italian Space Day: Next Frontiers. The Italian Space Day, entirely dedicated to the dialogue between institutions, industry, and research centers, has contributed to further strengthen the collaboration between Italy and the United States, in the Space sector, highlighting their common vision towards a more innovative, sustainable, and accessible space economy.
“Italy wants to be a leader in the new space race, which is entering a new phase of great opportunities”, commented the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Marco Peronaci, who added: “The Italian Space Day here in Washington aims to implement the Italian-American strategic partnership in the space sector and the priorities outlined in the Trump-Meloni Joint Statement from last April.”
Now in its fourth edition and organized this year with the collaboration of Leonardo, SpaceX, Axiom Space, VAST, AIAA, Space Foundation, Astrolab, Seed2Table, and Intuitive Machines, the event was a highly anticipated institutional event for the aerospace sector. Neither a conference nor a simple exhibition: Next Frontiers was an international Pitch Day, a new format in which innovation becomes a story and technology transforms into diplomatic language.
The event was attended by the Hon. Deborah Bergamini, member of the Italian Parliament; Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, and Acting Director for the Office of Space Commerce; Juan Andres Caro, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Space Affairs; and Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator. Also in attendance were leaders of the U.S. space industry, investors, and numerous members of the U.S. Administration and Congress: an exceptional group of participants that testify to the growing interest in Italy’s role as a strategic technological player in the new Space Economy. The entire day was designed as an immersive experience: corporate videos, evocative displays, and digital countdowns accompanied the companies’ pitches, alternating with brief presentations by astronauts, economists, and internationally renowned figures who shared their vision of the future.
Sixteen Italian companies—ALTEC, Angelantoni Test Technologies, CIRA–Italian Aerospace Research Center, D-Orbit, Eligio Re Fraschini, Involve Space, Kayser Italia, Leaf Space, NPC Spacemind, NurjanaTech, REA Space, SPIN, T4i, Telespazio, Vanzetti Engineering, and Zoppas Industries Heating Element Technologies—presented visionary projects ranging from technologies for life and work on the Moon to propulsion systems for interplanetary missions, from intelligent robotics to advanced materials for the construction of habitats on Mars. Each project illustrates a fraction of Italy’s contribution to human space exploration and to the construction of a more sustainable interplanetary future.
The Italian Space Day marks a crucial moment for the Italian space industry. With the recently signed agreement between the Italian Space Agency and SpaceX, Italy has become the first international partner involved in commercial missions to Mars, gaining full membership in the Starship program. This achievement confirms the strength of the Italian industry and the country’s scientific and technological credibility. Today, over sixty Italian companies operate in the United States in the aerospace sector, with hubs in Texas, California, and Florida, collaborating regularly with American partners in the fields of electric propulsion, additive manufacturing, and Earth observation.
Italy solidifies its role as leading partner of the United States in the aerospace sector, with a constantly growing role both in terms of value and market share, thanks also to the strong complementarity between Italian and American production chains. This partnership reflects the strength of the Italian supply chain – capable of combining technological innovation, engineering precision, and industrial reliability – as well as the growing American confidence in Italian manufacturers, particularly in the more sophisticated segments of the sector.
In Italy, the aerospace industry generates over €7 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 40,000 highly qualified professionals, with an R&D investment rate exceeding 10% of turnover—among the highest in Europe.
Next Frontiers has given visibility and substance to this excellence: a platform that unites economic diplomacy, innovation, and industry, with the aim of building lasting alliances between these two sides of the Atlantic. The Italian Trade Agency – Houston Office, confirms its commitment to promote an integrated approach aimed at strengthening the presence of Italian companies in the most advanced segments of the American space industry.
The Italian Space Day at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., also special remarks by Axiom Space astronauts Col. Walter Villadei and Michael López-Alegría, and space economist George Pullen. The day—with an exclusive reception organized in collaboration with SpaceX—celebrated the creativity and innovative capacity that characterize Italy’s participation in the new global space economy.
