The Evolution of the Aerospace Sector

ABSTRACT

Space applications are already enabling pillars of many operational capabilities and weapons systems. The sector is characterized for being technological driven, high investments, international, moving an economy of almost 350B$ per year (in 2016).
In the last few years, the space sector is being characterized by a quick transformation: new emerging players; the commercialization of the space domain; new technologies; new strategies among the traditional players (as the US and Russia). Moreover, in the geopolitical arena the space domain is becoming more and more contested, competitive and congested. It’s an “ultimate high ground”, a “center of gravity” which is capturing the attention of the strategist and decision makers.
Europe is pursuing a more determined strategy in such context, with an always more relevant role exerted by the European Commission. The BREXIT will reshape the layout of the space activities in Europe.
In Italy, a new law just approved at the end of the last legislature (the first space law in Italy) has recognized the strategic importance of such domain and attributed the highest responsibility and guidance to the Presidente del Consiglio. An interministerial committee will be established with the aim to lead the space activities at national level.
From the Air Force standpoint, space is the natural extension of the traditional aeronautical environment. The technological evolution will make space and atmospheric domain a seamless environment. That is the premise for new synergies, expanding the Air Force operational capabilities, such as: Space Situational Awareness; Space Transportation and Access to Space; Space Weather; Testing and Experimentation in microgravity.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Lt.Col Walter VILLADEI is a graduate of the Italian Air Force Academy and he holds a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Naples and a specialization in Astronautics Engineering from the University of Rome.
He served since 1998 at the 46^ Air Brigade in Pisa, where he dealt with aircraft maintenance and several operational deployment abroad (from 1998 to 2003).
In 2003 he was assigned to the Air Staff in Rome at the Office for Advanced Technologies and UAV’s programs. He attended a Master Degree in Satellites and Orbital Platforms until 2005. He represented the Air Staff in the Space Programs Defence Committee (Technical Level). In 2011 he was assigned at the new “Space Policy Office” established in the Air Staff 3rd Dept. In 2014 he has been appointed by the Presidenza del Consiglio as national delegate at the European Commission for the Space Surveillance and Tracking Support Framework.
In 2008, Lt.Col VILLADEI began his initial spaceflight training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City (Russia). In 2012 he received his full Cosmonaut wings and in 2015 he ended his advanced pre-assignment training phase, receiving qualifications as Soyuz Flight Engineer, ISS Russian Segment user and Extra-Vehicular Activity operator.
He also gives regular lectures at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and “Tor Vergata” covering “Experimentation in space” and “Space Systems”.
He graduated at the NATO Defence College from Senior Course 130 in 2017.
Since September 2017 Lt.Col VILLADEI is the Head of the “Space Policy and Operations” Office of the General Office for Space of the Air Staff. He is also member of the Scientific Committee of the Italian Space Agency.