Human Flight into Space
Human space flight represents, historically, one of the first activities to which the Air Force contributed. In fact, no less than five of the eight Italian astronauts come from the Armed Force, which has always seen space flight as an extension of the traditional concept of aeronautical flight. A space mission requires the full spectrum of space operations (launch, orbit insertion, rendezvous, docking, orbital transfer manoeuvres, undocking, re-entry) and hence the Aeronautica Militare's interest in this specific domain. Added to this are the skills in aerospace medicine, which are enabling for each mission, as well as the possibility of carrying out both technological and scientific experimentation in a unique environment such as microgravity, which cannot be simulated on the ground. The further acquisition of important skills in human spaceflight and human exploration of the solar system will, in perspective, increase Defence's ability to project and support manned operations in an international cooperation dimension.
A stratospheric platform is defined as an aircraft operating for long periods, up to 6 months, in the atmosphere, above current maximum flight altitudes, capable of employing an extreme variety of sensors for land observation, telecommunications, and precision navigation. Thanks to the availability of solar power and control systems to maintain their position, platforms offer a low-cost, low-risk solution guaranteeing the provision of services equivalent to those offered by satellites, without having to reach orbital altitudes and with performances superior to those of UAVs (remotely piloted aircraft) in terms of territory coverage and persistence. These platforms therefore represent an important enabler in view of the enhancement of current Air Force and Defence capabilities.
In 2020, the Air Force has promoted the start-up of the technical-operational activities necessary for the future implementation of the capability through a census of all the actors (universities, specialised research centres, companies, business networks) that, in various capacities, in Italy, are interested in stratospheric platforms.
Airborne launch
Airborne launching consists of transporting a small launcher aloft by means of an aircraft, usually specially adapted or designed, known as a “carrier aircraft”, which, once released, will activate its propulsion system until the satellite is placed in orbit. Independent and rapid access to Space, to be used for crisis scenarios, represents a strategic capability that the Air Force intends to acquire, for the benefit of Defence and the country, through air platforms that boast flexibility and dynamism of use that cannot be equalled by surface platforms. In this sense, the Armed Force will have to pursue virtuous synergies of effective collaboration with the world of research, industry, enhancing national skills, supporting and sponsoring them in the European and international arena.
In 2019, the Air Force, together with the National Research Centre and a representation of the academic sector and national companies in the sector, launched a feasibility study to assess the economic viability of a launcher for small satellites from an aerial platform.
