Thales Alenia Space Inaugurates Advanced Space Smart Factory in Rome with Italian President Mattarella

Inauguration Marks New Era for European Space Manufacturing

Rome, Italy – On October 7, 2025, Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art Space Smart Factory in Rome. The ceremony was attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, underscoring the strategic importance of the new facility for Italy and the broader European space sector.

Located within the Tecnopolo Tiburtino high-tech innovation hub, the factory represents an investment exceeding 100 million euros. This significant funding was co-provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) through Italy's post-pandemic recovery funds (PNRR funds), alongside contributions from Thales and Leonardo. The 21,000-square-meter facility is designed to be one of Europe's largest intelligent, digital, and reconfigurable manufacturing sites for satellites.

Advanced Capabilities and Production Goals

The Space Smart Factory is equipped with advanced digital and robotic/cobotic technologies, enabling flexible automation and modular cleanrooms. Its design allows for the production of a wide array of satellites for various applications, including Earth observation, navigation, and telecommunications. The facility boasts a production capacity of more than 100 satellites per year, equivalent to approximately two per week, with the ability to scale production based on market demand.

Operations are slated to commence by the end of 2025, with initial projects focusing on critical missions such as the Sicral 3 defense satellite, second-generation Galileo constellation satellites, and new Copernicus program satellites, including ROSE-L and CIMR.

Strategic Vision and Collaborative Ecosystem

The inauguration highlights Italy's commitment to strengthening its national space supply chain and enhancing its leadership in satellite design and integration. Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, stated, 'Today, Italy soars even higher. With the inauguration of this new Space Smart Factory, we are taking another strategic step to strengthen the national space supply chain and consolidate Italy's leadership by enhancing our capacity to design and integrate next-generation satellites.'

The factory also features a Space Joint Lab, an innovative collaborative space aimed at fostering dialogue with SMEs, universities, and research centers. This open approach to the entire supply chain is expected to drive the development of new products and professional skills, further integrating Italy's space ecosystem.

Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, emphasized the factory's role in global competitiveness: 'Leveraging the latest technologies, the Space Smart Factory will enhance Thales Alenia Space's production capacity and its global competitiveness as a leading player in Europe's space industry.' The facility is also designed with sustainability in mind, being LEED certified and incorporating solar power and rainwater recovery systems.