Italy’s new Space Smart Factory led by Thales Alenia Space is set to build 100 satellites a year powering Europe’s bid for space independence and a national constellation.
ROME – In a significant move to secure Europe’s foothold in the new space race Italy’s space agency and Thales Alenia Space have inaugurated one of the continent’s largest satellite manufacturing centers. The new “Space Smart Factory” on the outskirts of Rome is a direct response to the rapidly expanding space capabilities of the United States and China.
The facility, slated to be operational by the end of the year, represents a strategic push by Italian and French aerospace leaders to accelerate production and close the gap with global competitors like Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
A Factory for the Future: Scale and Ambition
The scale of the new plant is a clear statement of intent. The 21,000-square-meter (226,000 sq ft) hub, built with an investment of 100 million euros, will have the capacity to produce approximately 100 satellites per year.
This massive output is designed to support both commercial and sovereign needs. The factory will specialize in producing dual-use satellites for civil and defense applications, a critical capability for modern national security and technological infrastructure.
Powering European Sovereignty and Italian Innovation
The inauguration was marked by a sense of urgency and ambition. Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, emphasized the strategic importance of the project.
“The (satellites market) is one we cannot miss, we need to be part of it starting from now… our aim is to become global players,” Cingolani stated during the event.
The factory is more than just a production line; it’s an ecosystem. It brings together around 150 small and medium enterprises, creating a concentrated hub of aerospace innovation and supply chain expertise in Italy.
This collaborative model will be vital for one of its first major tasks: building Italy’s planned national low-orbit satellite constellation. Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), confirmed the site will be central to producing the more than 100 satellites required for this ambitious dual-use network.
A Pillar for a Unified European Space Strategy
Herve Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, highlighted the factory’s role in strengthening Europe’s global standing. “The Space Smart factory will increase Thales Alenia Space’s production capacity and global competitiveness. It will support European and national programmes, as well as the main future space ventures of our continent,” he said.
The new facility also serves as a tangible foundation for broader European consolidation in the sector. Leonardo and Thales are currently in advanced talks with Airbus to create a single, powerful European satellite manufacturing champion.
When asked about the progress, Cingolani noted, “We are working on it. It could be a matter of days or weeks… I really hope we can do it.” He identified work-share arrangements and governance as the final key points to be resolved.
With the new Space Smart Factory, Europe is not just building satellites; it is building the industrial backbone for its future sovereignty and competitiveness in the final frontier.
