The context and purpose of the National Space Policy Strategic Document (DSPSN)
Space is progressively asserting itself as one of the dimensions of State sovereignty, due to its strategic importance in terms of national security, scientific research and economic competitiveness. Space infrastructure and services, as well as data collected through observation, telecommunications and navigation systems, affect a wide range of public functions: from civil protection to environmental monitoring, from territorial protection to critical infrastructure security, and ultimately industrial and scientific development.
For these reasons, it is not surprising that the space sector has recently been subject to regulation under Law No. 89 of 13 June 2025, which has bridged the previous regulatory gap, providing Italy with a stable legal framework. This legislative measure recognises the structural transformation of the space sector, which is increasingly characterised by the presence of private operators alongside traditional government agencies, and aims to regulate access to outer space and the performance of space activities through a licensing regime. The law therefore responds to the need to ensure adequate public oversight of operators’ activities, also in order to prevent potential international liability on the part of the State and to avoid a competitive disadvantage compared to other European legal systems already equipped with national regulations governing this sector.
Law No. 89 of 13 June 2025 represents, however, only one component of the broader process of consolidating Italy’s space governance. Whilst it defines the regulatory framework within which operators are required to carry out space-related activities, the planning and strategic dimension remains central, aimed at identifying the country’s public, industrial, scientific and technological priorities. It is precisely in this context that the National Space Policy Strategic Document (DSPSN) takes on significance. It does not directly regulate access to space, but translates the Government’s guidelines into a medium- to long-term vision for the development of national space policy.
With regard more specifically to the DSPSN, the relevant legal basis is Law No. 7 of 11 January 2018, which vested in the Prime Minister overall leadership, general political responsibility and coordination of policies relating to space and aerospace programmes. The aforementioned law established the Interministerial Committee for Space and Aerospace Research Policies (“COMINT”), tasked with defining the Government’s policy guidelines on space and aerospace matters. On 14 May, COMINT approved the first National Space Policy Strategic Document (“DSPSN”), which is aimed at translating the Government’s policy guidelines on space and aerospace matters into a medium- to long-term planning framework. The Document sets out strategic objectives and priority measures aimed at strengthening national strategic autonomy, supporting the growth of the industrial and scientific sector and consolidating Italy’s international position in the space sector.
Key elements of the DSPSN and the strong interconnection between the Space Economy and the Data Economy
The DSPSN is structured around four key areas of action: i) expanding knowledge and the benefits to society; ii) fostering the growth and competitiveness of the national industrial ecosystem; iii) strengthening the regulatory and governance framework; and iv) identifying priority areas for international cooperation. Across these four areas, “traditional” digital topics play a central role, recognising a close correlation between the development of the Space Economy and the Data Economy.
In fact, for each of the four areas, the Document attributes strategic relevance to the governance of data collected or related to the space domain, to enabling technologies (artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and robotics) and to cybersecurity. National space policy therefore appears to be built around the idea that the value of space – in terms of efficiency in the performance of public functions and new opportunities for economic operators – lies not only in the development of orbital infrastructure, launch systems or missions, but also – and increasingly – in the ability to transform space-related data, technologies and services into tools for public decision-making, industrial development and national security.
From this perspective, the Space Economy and the Data Economy are closely interlinked: Earth observation, satellite telecommunications, navigation, Space Domain Awareness and government services all depend on the collection, processing, protection and utilisation of large volumes of data.
The central role of data governance for the Space economy
The Document first highlights the importance of space-related analysis and the central role of data in advancing scientific research. With this in mind, Objective 5.1, which is specifically dedicated to supporting scientific and industrial research, provides for the development of open platforms for sharing – both public and private – data relating to scientific and industrial research. The Document also calls for laboratories and centres of advanced expertise specialising in data processing and interpretation, with a view to promoting Open Science and strengthening the national research ecosystem.
A similar approach is evident in Objective 6.4 regarding satellite data, which focuses on supporting the sustainability of the planet and improving public administration services. In this area, the DSPSN envisages the enhancement and development of the “Iride Marketplace” infrastructure platform, including cloud-based solutions, in order to facilitate access to, processing and sharing of satellite data among public administrations and institutional users. This initiative includes the definition of data interoperability standards and the development of software tools for data visualisation and analysis.
Furthermore, Objective 9.2 expressly links the use of satellite data to growth in the industrial sector. In this regard, the Document aims to promote the widespread use of satellite data and information, with a particular focus on SMEs and start-ups, in order to enhance their competitive positioning in the commercial market.
Objective 8.1 is also particularly relevant, as it is dedicated to strengthening Italy’s leadership in Earth Observation. The Document highlights the development of the national Earth Intelligence ecosystem and stipulates that services should be designed to be interoperable and scalable, integrating Earth Observation data with other information sources such as socio-economic data, IoT-derived data, and predictive models. The aim is to provide solutions capable of meeting the needs of public administrations and key sectors, including precision agriculture, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, cultural heritage and security.
Technology as a driving force behind the space economy
A second macro-theme emerging from the DSPSN is the central role of technology in national space policy. The Document does not view technology merely as an area of research and development, but as a cross-cutting lever to enhance competitiveness, strategic autonomy and the capacity to transform space into public and industrial value.
Already in the “Reference Scenario” section, the DSPSN highlights how the Space Economy is driven by satellite services and data, but also by innovation in launch systems, satellite constellations and artificial intelligence.
This approach is reflected in the objectives relating to research and skills. Objective 5.1 identifies artificial intelligence for space applications, quantum technologies, new materials, robotics, MEMS sensors and applications for environmental, climate and agricultural monitoring as priority technologies. Objective 5.2 links these areas to the development of advanced STEM skills, providing for specialised training pathways and centres of excellence dedicated, among other things, to AI, cybersecurity and quantum technologies applied to space.
Technology is also of key importance in relation to national technological sovereignty. Objective 7.3 provides for a plan to develop critical space technologies and calls for proposals relating to emerging and enabling technologies, including AI, advanced propulsion, cybersecurity and quantum technologies, also for complex and dual-use space applications. In this regard, safeguarding critical technologies is intended to reduce dependencies and strengthen the country’s industrial capacity.
Finally, the DSPSN emphasises technology in the management of space data and in the modernisation of the production and administrative system. Objective 8.1 links the development of the Iride Marketplace to data storage, analysis and distribution, including through the use of AI and machine learning. Objectives 9.1 and 11.1 refer, respectively, to digitalisation, robotics, digital twins and AI for production infrastructure, as well as advanced digital skills in public administration. This gives rise to an integrated vision, in which technology cuts across research, industry, data, training and administration, emerging as an essential prerequisite for an innovative and independent space policy.
Space and cybersecurity
The third macro-theme is that of cybersecurity. In the DSPSN, cybersecurity is closely linked to the recognition of space as a strategic domain, characterised by critical infrastructure, dual-use applications and geopolitical risks. The protection of space systems is, therefore, not regarded merely as a technical requirement, but as a component of national security.
The Document, again in the “Reference Scenario” section, highlights that the protection of satellite infrastructure has become indispensable for safeguarding national activities and capabilities on Earth. This is particularly relevant for dual-use systems, where security requirements must be taken into account from the earliest stages of development.
Objective 5.2 explicitly includes cybersecurity skills among those necessary for the development of the Space Economy. The Document provides for dedicated training programmes and the creation of laboratories and centres of excellence for research and training in cybersecurity applied to space.
The key point on this issue, however, is Objective 7.2, which provides for the development of a cybersecurity plan or roadmap, in accordance with Law No. 89 of 13 June 2025. This plan is intended to implement end-to-end cybersecurity, monitoring systems for critical infrastructure and natural hazards, rapid response, data protection and standard protocols. The Document also emphasises the maintenance, upgrading and resilience of space, satellite, ground and IT infrastructure, as well as the establishment of advanced cyber defence capabilities, including a Space Security Awareness Centre.
Finally, Objective 7.3 places cybersecurity within the broader framework of the National Space Security Strategy. The Document links the protection of critical assets, know-how and classified and sensitive information to the need to strengthen national technological sovereignty. Objective 8.2 also has significant implications, insofar as it refers to the development of satellite infrastructure for secure and resilient connectivity, high-speed optical communications, quantum encryption, RF systems, onboard processing, protocols, ground segments and user terminals.
Preliminary reflections on the DSPSN: new opportunities for Italian businesses?
The analysis of the DSPSN reveals that digital technology constitutes an essential component of national space policy. The Space Economy outlined in the Document is no longer limited to the infrastructural dimension of space, but increasingly relies on the ability to collect, process, protect and leverage digital data and services.
From this perspective, the Space Economy and the Data Economy are closely interconnected: the strategic value of space depends on the ability to transform satellite data, enabling technologies and space capabilities into useful tools for public administration, businesses and society.
The central role attributed by the DSPSN to data governance, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, robotics, machine learning, digital twins and cybersecurity confirms that digital technology is the key enabler of the new space economy. Through these technologies, space infrastructure and data can be converted into advanced services for environmental and climate monitoring, precision farming, civil protection, the security of critical infrastructure, secure communications and the modernisation of production and administrative processes.
Within this framework, significant opportunities arise for Italian companies, including SMEs and start-ups, which are called upon to develop solutions based on satellite data, Earth Intelligence, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, resilient communications and downstream services. Data access and sharing platforms, the further development of the Iride Marketplace, support for emerging technologies and targeted calls for proposals relating to critical space technologies may contribute to strengthening Italy’s industrial supply chain.
