A new frontier of space exploration has opened up
The SEE Lab of SDA Bocconi and the Space Policy Institute of the George Washington University reached an agreement establishing a joint research program on economics, law, and policy in the exploration and use of outer space. The agreement, signed by Andrea Sommariva on behalf of the School and Henry Hertzfeld on behalf of Washington University, followed an event organized by the Italian Embassy in Washington DC. The Italian Ambassador introduced the event, followed by a keynote speech by Scott Pace, the Executive Secretary of the White House Space Council. Afterwards, Prof. Sommariva moderated a round table composed of representatives of Italian and American space companies. The round table focused on space industry, in particular on the growing importance of commercial and non-government demand for space technology.
These developments raise important issues such as space industry becoming more open, competitive, and global. Specifically, the space market is now driven by demand. Use of small satellite and the gradual reduction of cost of accessing space are opening new business niches and allow the entrance of small-medium size companies in the market. One promising area of operation is the in-space servicing, such as satellite refuelling and management of existing satellites and space debris. It is important to remark that robotics, artificial intelligence, and neural network will be crucial technologies for in-space servicing. Another promising area is the use of small satellite constellation for telecommunications. Export controls are among the major obstacles to these developments. There is also a need to establish international legislation and regulation to deal with the near-term problem of space debris, and, on a long-term perspective, with property rights of space resources.
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25 June 2025
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