Altec secures services for the ISS until 2029 and opens a new control room

Altec also manages the Esa Solar Orbiter mission, which uses a satellite carrying a coronagraph (Metis) capable of studying the solar corona to develop algorithms capable of predicting magnetic and cosmic storms to prevent damage to orbiting satellites.

The objective, therefore, is to grow the scientific, technological and industrial skills to present itself as a company capable of providing in-orbit services to future commercial operators. "This is the dimension of the New Space economy that we are looking at with interest and which sees a growing role for private individuals in space,' Giorgio adds, 'to whom we want to offer services.

Italy and Europe are also at the forefront of the Artemis mission, which aims to build an orbiting station in lunar orbit and an outpost on the satellite's surface. 'We are looking at the potential of the future Gateway that will orbit the Moon and be operated as we currently do with the International Space Station,' Giorgio explains. Altec has already been assigned the operational management of the Habitat that will be built on the Moon and will be constructed by Thales Alenia Space itself.

The contract signed between Altec and the European Space Agency will provide the industrial services required to keep the ISS processes operational for the period 2025-2029 in the areas of training for astronauts and ground support personnel (GSP), integrated logistics of materials, experiments and ESA payloads, including storage, cargo preparation and hardware handling to and from the launch site and within Europe. As well as a range of operational support services to ensure the readiness of mission operations.

Since 2015, Altec has been responsible for directly providing Esa with training, logistics and operational support services for the ISS Columbus programme. Know-how that has enabled the company to extend its reach to other missions such as Euclid and Gaia. Without forgetting the Moon. "Altec is preparing for the challenge of the new era of human exploration beyond low Earth orbit,' Giorgio adds, 'and the great experience in training, logistics and operational support services for the ISS is our launch pad for Lunar Gateway operations, but also for continuing services for the future use of commercial stations in low Earth orbit.

This new phase of cooperation between Altec and Esa is therefore not only dedicated to the ISS, but includes services for Gateway and Human Exploration beyond low orbit. Activities will mainly focus on training preparation, logistics services and will also include support to Esa for the preparation of operational processes.