How can satellite data help address the challenges of sustainability, energy security, and environmental protection? How can they generate new business opportunities for companies, startups, and public administrations? How can technologies developed for space find application in daily life and productive activities?
Earth observation represents one of the most strategic applications of the space economy and opens new opportunities for the development of services and applications by small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and industries in the geospatial sector.
The applications of these space technologies involve numerous strategic areas: from civil protection to defense, from agriculture to environmental protection, up to the safeguarding of the natural and infrastructural heritage of the territory. The added value lies not only in the development of new technologies but especially in the ability to integrate and effectively use those already available to meet the concrete needs of society, institutions, and businesses.
And the numbers confirm this trend. According to the latest research by the Space Economy Observatory of the Politecnico di Milano, the Earth observation services market in Italy reached a value of 340 million euros in 2025, recording a 17% growth compared to the previous year. This data testifies to how applications based on satellite data are becoming increasingly relevant for companies, institutions, and citizens.
Moreover, the Italian space supply chain is increasingly integrated with the rest of the production system: 60% of companies combine space activities with other industrial sectors. Among the most involved sectors are aviation, metalworking, and automotive, demonstrating how space technologies are now a driver of cross-sector innovation.
These topics will be discussed in the webinar “From Space to Earth: Data and Technologies Serving the Planet,” organized by Start Magazine, which will offer an opportunity for dialogue between academia, research, and industry on the opportunities offered by satellite data and space infrastructures to face the environmental, energy, and technological challenges of our time.
Speakers will include Leonella Gori, professor of Corporate Finance at Bocconi University and SDA Bocconi; Giuseppe Sala, professor at the Department of Aerospace Science and Technologies of the Politecnico di Milano and Chair of the Technical Scientific Committee of BEX; Lorenzo Colantoni, research manager at IAI (Institute of International Affairs); and Ornella Bombaci, director of the Engineering Competence Center at Thales Alenia Space.
Moderated by Chiara Rossi, journalist at Start Magazine.
Join us on June 9 at 3:30 PM for the webinar organized by Start Magazine, which will also be accessible via streaming on YouTube and on the startmag.it website.
