The Space Smart Factory project is aimed to build an advanced, digitised and highly flexible factory, ranking among the greatest in Europe. This factory will be included into a system of interconnected space factories, located in different Italian cities. The Space Smart Factory will use state-of-the-art technologies to produce satellites of several classes and for several fields of application.

The Space Smart Factory initiative is the results of an investment of more than EUR 100 million, and also involves the Italian Space Agency (ASI) through the funds included in Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Leonardo Global Solutions supported the whole building project, from land acquisition, through tender management, to the launch of the construction work. The preliminary activities and the executive design of the buildings started at the end of September, with the aim of having the factory operational by mid-2025.

The Space Smart Factory will implement process automation and digitisation systems to ensure a high production capacity of the next-generation space assets. Special attention will be given to the micro and small satellite segment, including the PLATINO and Nimbus projects, satellite constellations and Thales Alenia Space's modular platforms for commercial and institutional programs.

Through the use of modular clean rooms and digital technologies, the Space Smart Factory will be able to adapt to the required production needs, enabling the integration and testing of a wide range of satellites of various classes and space applications, such as those dedicated to Earth Observation, Navigation and Telecommunications.

The centre will be a digital hub using state-of-the-art technologies such as numerical modelling, Digital Twins, virtual and augmented reality, integrated simulators and highly automated systems. Moreover, it will host the Space Joint Lab, a space for innovation and collaboration, designed to the training of new professionals in the space industry and the development of innovative ideas and products in partnership with SMEs, start-ups, vendors, industrial partners and research centres.

The entire project will be inspired by the principles of sustainable architecture, with a focus on energy saving and the efficient use of renewable energy through the adoption of new digital technologies.