Italian Ambassador Andrea Catalano hopes the stars will align and his country can continue to press home the potential for further international collaboration, particularly between Italy and Bahrain.
Talking to the GDN during a reception held at his residence to mark Italian Space Day, Ambassador Catalano emphasised Italy’s continued contribution to the global space sector.
Celebrated on December 15 every year to commemorate the launch of the first Italian satellite, San Marco 1, in 1964, the event commemorates the milestone achievement of Italy becoming only the third country in the world to launch a satellite, after the US and the former Soviet Union.
He noted that Italian Space Day serves as an opportunity to showcase the advancements made by Italian science and technology in space exploration and to promote the benefits of space activities for humanity.
“Italy has consistently contributed to significant advancements in space technology and exploration,” he said. “Italian Space Day is an opportunity to showcase our achievements and inspire future generations.”
The ambassador also emphasised the importance of international collaboration in space exploration and highlighted the potential for future partnerships between Italy and Bahrain in this field.
He expressed hope that young people in Bahrain will be inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, and to contribute to the future of space exploration.
Mirko Polizzi, commercial director of Telespazio Spa – Leonardo Group, echoed the ambassador’s sentiments. “There’s immense potential for collaboration between Italy and Bahrain in various space-related fields,” he said. “From satellite communications to advanced air mobility and remote sensing, we can offer our expertise to support Bahrain’s space aspirations.”
Telespazio, a leading global player in satellite services, provides tailored solutions for a wide range of applications. “While we don’t own and operate satellites,” Mr Polizzi clarified. “We’re service providers who leverage various assets to deliver bespoke solutions for customers, particularly in defence and telecommunications.”
Noting that although Telespazio currently doesn’t have a direct presence in Bahrain, the official emphasised that the company is actively seeking opportunities to partner with local entities and explore potential collaborations.
He expressed optimism about future engagements between Bahrain and Italy not just in the space sector, but also in exciting new ventures in areas like energy resource management, oil and gas exploration, and smart cities leveraging technological advancements.
GDN Media reported last month that the National Space Science Agency (NSSA) plans to launch its first indigenous satellite, AlMunther, in 2025. This nano-satellite, built entirely with local components, will utilise artificial intelligence for onboard image processing. It will orbit Earth twice daily, capturing medium-resolution images for various applications, including security, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
The 3.2kg satellite will be launched from the US and monitored by a ground station in Bahrain. NSSA is also collaborating with the UAE on several space projects, including a lunar rover mission and a hyperspectral camera for a Chinese lunar orbiter.
Established in 2014 to promote space science and technology in the country, the NSSA focuses on building capacity in satellite technology, data analysis and image processing.
The stars really are the limit for all space adventurers.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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