Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna becomes a member at the International Astronautical Federation, represented by Tommaso Andreussi, professor coordinator of the new Research Area in[...]

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna becomes a member at the International Astronautical Federation, represented by Tommaso Andreussi, professor coordinator of the new Research Area in Space Technologies at the Institute of Mechanical Intelligence

The Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, through theInstitute of Mechanical Intelligence, has been recommended for membership in the IAF (International Astronautical Federation), the world's leading space advocacy body, with 513 members from 78 countries, including all major space agencies, companies, research institutes, universities, societies, associations, institutes and museums from around the world. Membership will be formally approved by the end of 2024, but as early as the IAF's 75thInternationalAstronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan on Oct. 11, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna will be considered an official member of the Federation.

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was founded in 1951, when scientists in the field of space research came together in an effort to ensure an ongoing dialogue between nations. In its early years, the Federation and its annual International Astronautical Congresses-better known as IAC-were one of the few places where East and West met during the space race.

The School is proud to be able to be part of one of the world's largest networks of space experts and to participate in this important event in Milan, centered on "Responsible Space for Sustainability", with the goal of raising awareness of a more conscious and responsible use of the space environment among the international community. Indeed, with the proliferation of the number of missions in orbit and the emergence of large constellations composed of hundreds of satellites, the risk of collision between objects in space is increasing. This not only creates dangerous new space debris, but could jeopardize the proper functioning of the satellite systems on which so many activities of our daily lives depend: from telecommunication services to transportation, from environmental monitoring to security.

In this context, the participation of Tommaso Andreussi, full professor of aerospace and naval engineering, from the Institute of Mechanical Intelligence, is of particular significance, also in relation to the start of the research project he coordinated BREATHE (Building a space Revolution: Electric Air-breathing Technology for High-atmosphere Exploration) funded on ERC Consolidator Grant 2022 funds, thanks to which the new Research Area in Space Technologies has started at the Institute. This complements the School's various research areas already active in space, involving, for example, photonic systems, robotics, biology and space medicine.

Photo cover by Leonardo Cioni