The man will soon be back on the Luna. And who knows maybe one of them could be an Italian. Meanwhile, an important first step has been sanctioned to engage Italy in a major international project. Because we know that the contribution that Italian they are giving and have given in the past on space research is considerable. But now we are aiming for the Moon. It is the Artemis program of which Italy will be part. To study all those interventions necessary on a technological level to achieve this goal. And so that the man on the moon will no longer be just a wish. Soon a reality.
The man on the moon, the agreement with the USA
The project is based on the agreement signed between Italy and the United States. The agreement signed at Palazzo Chigi by the undersecretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for space policies, Riccardo Fraccaro, in connection with the chief administrator of NASA, Jim Bridenstine. A first for our Italy. It is the first European country to sign a bilateral agreement on lunar exploration with the United States. For Fraccaro the understanding "it is a further recognition of the role of our country within the Artemis mission. Which will bring the first woman to the moon and has the goal of establishing a continuous and self-sufficient presence on the lunar surface".
Italy protagonist for the return of man to the moon
Italy's role in the international agreement is aimed at contributing in scientific and industrial terms. The landing could take place in 2024. It will aim at "use the Moon as a base of operations for space exploration”Explained the undersecretary. In view not only of the return of man to the moon but also of the discovery on Mars. Italy will guarantee "the provision of crew housing capacity on the Moon", But also conduct scientific experiments and provide telecommunication services"through surface resources and lunar orbital constellations".
A historical page for Italy and for the man on the moon
An agreement that therefore opens up to new future projects. And who see Italy as a great protagonist. For the president of the Italian Space Agency Giorgio Saccoccia the agreement "confirms the historic friendship between the two countries and the long tradition of bilateral cooperation between ASI and NASA. With the subsequent Implementation Agreements between the two space agencies, the Italian contributions to the program will be specified in detail, which will contribute to making possible the dream of a sustainable presence in orbit and on the lunar surface: from housing modules, to scientific experiments, to the telecommunications system.".
The potential for the Italian industry
An agreement therefore that once again projects our peninsula at an international level. Furthermore, the agreement for the Italian industry would amount to approximately one billion euros. This was supported by Leonardo's CEO, Alessandro Profumo, commenting on the agreement. "These are the estimates of the economic impact - says - in the short and medium term of the signed Joint Statement. Our country, in addition to the extremely important contribution on a technical and scientific level, will provide the lunar mission with the technological contribution necessary for the construction of the lander systems. To the realization of the additional habitable surface modules (shelters)".