Valente, 'our excellence on show in Osaka'
ASI brings Space to the visitor experience of the Italian Pavilion
5' min read
Key points
- Valente, 'solid collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and Japan's JAXA'
- Space exploration and Earth observation
- Sharing and use of data from the Italian COSMO-SkyMed and PRISMA satellites
5' min read
An important contribution from the Italian Space Agency to the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. During the months of the Exposition, visitors can experience a journey into space through a unique interactive multimedia solution that allows them to explore 3D models of satellites, probes and scientific payloads built or participated in by ASI. This installation offers a highly immersive and interactive experience, allowing users to interact with the models via a touchscreen panel. Among the models projected in 3D are the PRISMA and COSMO-SkyMed Earth observation satellites, and the lunar habitat module MPH, part of the NASA Artemis programme. Visitors have the opportunity to explore these models, zoom in, rotate them and interact with their parts to discover their details.
Among the models on display is also one "from the Cosmo SkyMed constellation, which -explains ASI President Teodoro Valente - represents a flagship for Italy in Earth observation radar technologies". The Italian Pavilion is then further enriched by projections on its maxi-screens of videos and space images provided by the ASI, related to the themes of Earth Observation and Exploration of the Universe, with a focus on the habitability of space and the forthcoming return to the Moon through Italy's participation in the Artemis Programme. In addition, suspended from the ceiling of an area of the Pavilion is a 1:5 scale model, provided by ASI, of the Space Rider, a project for an automated and reusable space vehicle for unmanned re-entry from space being studied by the European Space Agency and financed mainly by Italy, as a testimony to Italy's contribution to space exploration activities and European launchers.
A 'mine' of information that the space 'corner' will represent in the coming months until the closing of the Exhibition on 13 October, and there is no lack of sectoral focuses. In the week of 19 to 24 May, for example, the Italian Space Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the participation of the Ministry for Business and Made in Italy (MIMIT) organised a number of initiatives to promote Italian technological excellence in the space sector. In particular, on 20 May, a talk was held between the respective heads of the space agencies: Teodoro Valente for the ASI and Hiroshi Yamakawa for the Japanese Space Agency JAXA. It was an opportunity to take stock of the strong bilateral relations in Earth observation and space exploration.
"Relations between the ASI and the Japanese agency JAXA are well-established and very positive" - Recalls Valente - for example, in the field of Earth observation, the current agreement provides for the exchange of satellite images for the management of natural disasters, and over the past decade the Agency has provided Japan with around 10,000 images relating to disasters that have occurred on Japanese territory up to the last one in 2024. There are also many other areas of collaboration, such as science, for example exploration, so we work together bilaterally, very effectively and efficiently. Beyond the Earth observation theme, for the other space domains, the excellence of the Italian sector, and therefore of the Italian space ecosystem, in the construction of orbital infrastructures of all kinds is well known and recognised, we are talking about the international space station, we are talking about the future living module on the Moon, and the great qualification and experience of the Japanese space community on the subject of space robotics is also recognised, so these two strands can certainly be integrated and able to guarantee a further development of impetus in the sphere of bilateral relations.
As part of the 'Future of Community and Mobility Week' at Expo Osaka 2025, the Italian Pavilion therefore hosted a series of events dedicated to the aerospace sector, with the aim of highlighting space technologies as key tools for building the future. The Italy-Japan Trade Forum 2025, organised by the Italian Embassy in Japan and the Consulate General of Italy in Osaka, in collaboration with ASI and with the support of JAXA, was an important event. The forum aimed to promote new opportunities for industrial collaboration in the space sector, encouraging dialogue between companies, institutions and trade associations. The opening session featured speeches by Ambassador Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo Osaka, Consul General Filippo Manara, JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa, and ASI President Teodoro Valente. This initiative follows on from previous events held on the same theme, with the aim of promoting new business opportunities within the framework of the Strategic Partnership between Italy and Japan and the Bilateral Action Plan 2024-2027.
