PLATiNO is suitable for a range of Hi-Res Optical, Mini-SAR and Telecom missions. Credit: Sitael S.p.A.

SITAEL has signed the prime contract for the PLATiNO Programme, which is aimed at developing a new generation of multi-purpose small satellites weighing 200kg, for new multi-mission applications.

Representing the first Italian answer to the space economy, the agreement for PLATiNO, which was signed with Italian Space Agency (ASI).

ASI president Roberto Battiston said: “By signing this contract, we have settled the foundations of the development for a competitive asset on the international market, by developing production skills for high-tech mini-satellites based on components designed and manufactured in Italy at industrial level.

“By signing this contract, we have settled the foundations of the development for a competitive asset on the international market.”

“With the PLATiNO programme, ASI enters the satellite segment that today is growing worldwide, enabling a wide range of missions, from telecommunications, to earth observation and scientific missions, which are characterised by low-cost, an extremely competitive time-to-market and a natural propensity to develop satellite constellations, the great challenge of the next years in space.”

SITAEL has built up an industrial team for the new programme, increasing the synergies among the key competences of Italian space industries such as Thales Alenia Space, Space Engineering and Leonardo.

The first All-electric Mini-Platform PLATiNO is suitable for a range of Hi-Res Optical, Mini-SAR andTelecom missions, deployable in constellation.

SITAEL CEO Nicola Zaccheo said: “We are very proud to sign this contract, being PLATiNO a very important national programme in which SITAEL and its partners, together with the Italian Space Agency, will develop a state-of-the art small satellite platform with very high performances at a very competitive cost.”