Italy is a founding member of the ESA (European Space Agency)
Italy, through the Italian Space Agency, contributes to and actively participates in all European Space Agency (ESA) activities, which fall into two program categories – ‘mandatory’ and ‘optional’.
Mandatory Programs include science program activities, infrastructure costs, and basic general activities. All of the Agency's Member States contribute to these programs on a scale based on their Gross National Product (GNP), as established by the ESA Council.
As to the Optional Programs, participation is optional for which Member States contribute in proportion to their interest in each constituent project. However to participate in these programs, Member States must pay a minimum subscription fee calculated on a scale based on their Gross National Product (GNP), as established by the ESA Council.
The ESA operates on the basis of geographic distribution criteria or fair-return, i.e., it ensures that the investments made in each member state, through industrial contacts for space programs, are proportional to its contribution.
This feature is certainly the element that has enabled the European Agency to increase the number of its Member States, from the initial 11 to the current 22. As a result, the Agency's budget has gradually increased over the years.
To date the 22 ESA Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
There are four Associate Member States: Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Slovakia. In addition, Canada participates in the work of the European Space Agency as a Cooperating State. Moreover, cooperation agreements are also in place with Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia and Malta.
The ESA Council, together with the Director General, is the governing body of the Agency. The Council establishes the guidelines on the basis of which the Agency then develops its space program. Each Member State is represented on the Council and is entitled to one vote, regardless of its size or actual financial contribution.
The Management of the European Space Agency can be found on the following page.
At the last Ministerial Council meeting in 2022 (CM22), Italy recorded a record contribution to ESA programs, amounting to 18.2 percent of the overall contribution of Member States, ranking third after Germany and France for mandatory programs, and first as a contributor for optional programs, with 2.5 billion euros, in the areas of telecommunications, space exploration, navigation, and space transportation.
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‣ News
SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2025
The Italian Space Agency at the official inauguration ceremony of the African Space Agency ‣
On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the African Space Agency (AfSA), the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was represented by the Director General, Luca Salamone, who brought the Italian greetings on a historic day for the African continent and for the international space community. MORE...
THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2025
TRAINING, LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ISS & EXPLORATION 2025-2029 – SIGNATURE CEREMONY BETWEEN ALTEC AND ESA ‣
Colorado Springs, 2025 MORE...
MONDAY 07 APRIL 2025
ASI at the 40th Space Symposium ‣
Colorado Springs (CO, USA) from April 7-10, 2025 MORE...
WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025
Renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for Kenyan personnel at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre ‣
The Luigi Broglio Space Centre (BSC) in Malindi hosted the final negotiation meeting today for the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A) covering the period 2025–2028. Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), participated via videoconference, while the ASI negotiating delegation—comprising Alessandro Preti, Director of Human Resources; Dalila Sabato, Head of the Union Relations Service; Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi Site; and Maurizio Toninelli from the Malindi Site—signed the new agreement alongside Antony Rajoro, Secretary General of the Kenya Scientific, Research, International, Technical and Institutions Workers Union (KRISTAIWU). Also present was Joseph Kagotho Muriithi, representing the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). Opening the meeting remotely, the Director General expressed appreciation for the efforts of both the Kenyan Union representatives and ASI’s negotiating team, stating: “Today is an important milestone for all of us. The signing of this Collective Bargaining Agreement strengthens the relationship between ASI and its employees. Over the next four years, this agreement will provide a foundation of clear and mutually agreed-upon guidelines, fostering a stable and harmonious work environment where everyone can contribute their best.” Alessandro Preti, ASI’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “This agreement is a testament to the power of constructive dialogue and the pursuit of balanced solutions. Our goal remains to cultivate a strong and motivating workplace—one that values the dedication of its employees and ensures their contributions drive the success of our organization.” Both KRISTAIWU’s Secretary General and KSA’s representative expressed their satisfaction with the agreement reached. Following the signing, Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi site (BSC), along with the rest of the ASI negotiating delegation and Union representatives, held a meeting with local BSC employees to present and explain the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
TUESDAY 04 MARCH 2025
LuGRE achieves historic lunar radionavigation milestone ‣
The NASA-ASI receiver was powered on March 3 MORE...