From Folgore to Space: David Avino leads Italy towards orbital autonomy

Italy is accelerating on the road to strategic autonomy in space. It has done so by presenting the feasibility study for a new satellite constellation dedicated to the security and national defence. An orbital network formed by at least 100 satellitesready - according to estimates by theItalian Space Agency (ASI) - within five years. The document is already in the hands of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, as confirmed by Minister Adolfo Urso, who has mandated ASI to consult with Italian companies to verify the full feasibility of the business plan.

L’iniziativa, ancora senza un nome ufficiale ma provvisoriamente chiamata 'National Constellation', rappresenta una risposta concreta all’evoluzione degli equilibri spaziali globali, sempre più influenzati da soggetti privati come Starlink, che ha ridefinito gli standard operativi e monopolizzato – di fatto – la connettività orbitale.

David Avino, from Commander of Folgore to pioneer of the new Space Economy

A central role in the new scenario is being played by Argotec, a Turin-based company that built the first satellite of the IRIDE programme, the Pathfinder Hawklaunched in January 2025 and already operational in orbit. At the helm of the company is David Avino, an engineer and entrepreneur with a background combining technology and service to his country: former Battery Commander at the 185th Parachute Artillery Regiment 'Folgore', Avino perfectly embodies the bridge between the needs of the defence world and the capabilities of the Italian space industry.

Under his leadership, Argotec has become one of the most innovative companies in the sector, so much so that it has opened one of Europe's most modern space factories in Turin, where micro- and nanosatellites for scientific and operational missions are designed, assembled and tested. The success of the Pathfinder - capable of acquiring high-resolution multispectral images - marks a concrete turning point in Italy's ability to build its own high-performance satellites, scalable and ready for complex missions.

"This first image acquired over Italy is a historic moment for the country and an important milestone in the field of Earth observation"said Avino. And he is right: today, Italy is among the few European countries able to close the space supply chain in-house, from design to ground data management.

A new phase for Italian Space

The announcement of the new security constellation comes at the culmination of a significant week for the sector. Minister Urso visited theSitael Hub in Mola di Barianother centre of excellence, a symbol of an Italy that organises itself to produce massively and strategically. The Space Economy is no longer a gamble, but an industrial reality involving dozens of SMEs, universities, research centres and major national players.

This National Constellation will complement IRIDEambitious Italian Earth observation programme developed with funds from the PNRRunder the coordination of theESA and with the support of the ASI. IRIDE provides six mini-constellations a total of more than 60 satellites, dedicated to environmental, civil and civil protection uses. It is a constellation of constellationswhere companies such as Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio, Star Workshop, Exprivia and many others are contributing to the construction of an integrated, modern and sovereign system.

Italy between IRIDE and IRIS: towards European orbital resilience

The National Constellation project naturally also interfaces with IRISthe European programme for the creation of an autonomous satellite infrastructure dedicated to the resilience, connectivity and security. The goal is ambitious: to propose a European public alternative to Starlink, avoiding external dependencies for key services.

In this scenario, Italy aims to be technological and operational leaderbringing concrete know-how and proven industrial capabilities to the European table.

ASI: scientific and strategic garrison of the nation

The Italian Space Agency, founded in 1988, is today one of the main players on the global space scene. With headquarters in Rome and operational bases in Matera, Malindi and Sardinia, the ASI is involved in all major international missions, has been working for years with the NASA and plays a leading role in the VEGA.

In addition to exploration and science, space today is above all economics and strategy. The ASI works to ensure an independent orbital future for Italy, where technology, industry and defence can cooperate synergistically.

100 satellites, a symbol and a challenge

The number 100As well as representing the new Italian constellation, it is a sign of the direction space is taking: SpaceX is preparing to decommission 100 old Starlink satellites, while Eutelsat has ordered 100 new units from Airbus to upgrade OneWeb. The New Italian Constellation aims to fit into this competitive scenario, but from a public, strategic and national perspective.

Five years is a short time for such an ambitious project, but Italy has shown, with IRIDE and its visionary entrepreneurs like David Avinothat the will, competence and industrial capacity are all there. Space, today more than ever, is a matter of sovereignty. And Italy has decided to be there, in the front row.