With NASA there is a strong tradition of bilateral agreements and there are many cooperation programs with particular regard to the scientific area. The first collaboration between Italy and USA in the space field goes back to the 60’s. Italy, at first through CNR and afterwards through the National Space Plan and in 1988 through the birth of ASI, developed an important National Space Plan in which bilateral relations with NASA play a key role.
From 1988 up today excellent relationships between ASI and NASA have given Italy the possibility to take part in important American missions such as Tethered, Cassini, Lageos, as well as activities for the achievement and the utilization of the International Space Station (ISS), to which ASI, through a strong bilateral agreement, has given its contribution by way of three Pressurized Logistic Modules (MPLM) and, in collaboration with ESA, with Nodes 2 and 3 and the cupola. In return it obtained from NASA the right of flight utilization, so far not completely exploited because of delays in the NASA program. NASA scientific missions in which ASI is taking or will take part thanks to the competence as well as to the specialization of different institutes and national research laboratories are many. Examples are given by PLANCK, IBIS, SWIFT, MARSIS/PDF, SHARAD/MRO, INTEGRAL, HETE, GLAST, DAWN, JUNO missions. Italy stands out in the programs of inhabited flights by training and the flights of Italian astronauts such as Franco Malerba, Umberto Guidoni, Roberto Vittori and Paolo Nespoli.
In the field of “Observation of the Universe”, ASI plays a very active role in the process of coordination of the new strategy enacted by NASA with its national partners. This is thanks to organization and participation, to workshops, consultations and different meetings which are in line with the Italian space exploration strategy and with scientific programs of observation of the universe.

In this context, in May 2004, ASI and NASA undersigned a Declaration of Intents confirming and reaffirming their mutual willingness to intensify their bilateral collaboration, also with regard to this new human adventure in space.

At present ASI has begun a cooperation with Russia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Argentine and Kenya but there many already established relations with other countries such as Israel, Malaysia, Latin American Countries and countries in the Mediterranean.

ASI cooperates with the Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos, on the basis of an agreement between the governments for the use of extra-atmospheric Space for peaceful purposes. Said agreement was signed in 1998 and is mainly addressed to the field of space propulsion (Memorandum of 2002) and scientific programs of medicine and biotechnologies, as well as to those of Universe and Earth observation. Consultations and collaborations are intense and profitable thanks to Working Groups on basic themes.

ASI cooperates with the Canadian Space Agency, CSA, in the field of Earth Observation (Memorandum of June 2005) particularly for the use of hyperspectral techniques. In October 2005, ASI and CSA entered an agreement for the definition of a joint Italian-Canadian mission.

Bilateral relationships between ASI and the Japan Space Agency, JAXA, grew after the signing of a Declaration of Intents subscribed in Tokyo in November 2004. Working Groups on basic themes have been established to strengthen the collaboration and to actuate an important bilateral cooperation.

Relations between ASI and the Indian Space Agency, ISRO, grew after the signing of two Agreements containing the guidelines of their cooperation. The first was signed in 2000 and the second in 2005. Thanks to these agreements in October 2005, a memorandum for the boarding of the Italian experiment of radio-occultation ROSA on board the Indian satellite OCEANSAT-2 was entered.

Agreements between the governments of Italy and China about the use of extra-atmospheric space for peaceful purposes, signed in 1991, are at the basis of relations between ASI and the China Space Agency, CNSA. ASI and CNSA are mainly developing their studies in the areas of Earth Observation, Exploration, Space Propulsion and Training.

Relations between Italy and Argentine in the space field are based on agreements between their governments for the Research and the Use of extra-atmospheric space for peaceful purposes, signed in 1992. In order to reach this goal ASI and Argentine Space Agency, CONAE, over the last few years have strengthened their relations in particular in the field of earth observation for the prevention and the management of great risks and natural disasters.
In July 2005, ASI and CONAE undersigned an important agreement for the accomplishment of an Italian-Argentine System of Satellites for the Management of Emergencies (SIASGE). This system is the only one in the world and involves the integration of the two radar satellite constellations, the Italian one COSMO-SkyMed in X band, and the Argentine one in L band of SAOCOM. In May 2006, ASI and CONAE undersigned a promising Declaration of Intents aimed at upgrading the role of the Space High Study Institute "Mario Gulich" of Cordoba dedicated to the training of professionals in the field of space applications of data through remote sensing.

An Agreement between Italy and Kenya pertinent to the Base Launch and the control of satellites in Malindi was signed in 1995. It settles ASI relations with its Kenya counter-part and in particular, when ASI took over to the University of Rome in January 2004, it obtained, by law, the management of the whole Base. There are many activities in progress so far concerning the development of the Base of Launch and the enhancement of the Base as a regional centre of earth observation.