Maurizio Cheli
KEYNOTE - JUNE 19, 2023
A future under the sign of continuity
Maurizio Cheli
ABSTRACT
Italy is ready to play a preminent role in the European Space Agency, thanks to her know-how and to explor the new opportunities offered by the Space exploration heading towards the Moon and Mars.
In order to gain the target the Italian Space Agency needs continuity in the strategic vision, in the allocation of resources up to the industrial plan.
The Space and its related investments are strategic for our country but they need a careful monitoring and medium and long term programs.
Space activities are, by definition, experimental and if there is a detailed plan, an unexpected event can always occur and this is the reason why a strong commitment is absolutely necessary.
The Italian Space Industry has an active role not only in the Space missions but also in the industrial technical research.
At the moment they are planning lunar modules for the Lunar Gateway, which will be part of the future human settlement on the Moon.
Our country has been active in this sector since the beginning and we possess skills and technology to keep on working in this field.
The speech will give an overview on these topics and some details about Italian Space exploration programme.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Maurizio Cheli was born in Modena, Italy, on May 4th 1959. In 1978 he entered the Accademia Aeronautica di Pozzuoli (Italian Air Force Academy) where he earned a degree in Aeronautical Sciences. In 1983 he was assigned to the well-known F-104G as an operational reconnaissance pilot, and in 1988 he graduated first at the Empire Test Pilot’s School course in Boscombe Down, United Kingdom, hence becoming a test and experimental pilot of high-performance aircraft.
In 1996 he took part in the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-75 Tethered Satellite mission, in which he was assigned the role of Mission Specialist. In the same year, Alenia Aeronautica hired him and he was assigned as Chief Test Pilot for defence aircraft. He was the head of the operational development of the European fighter Eurofighter Typhoon as well.
In 2005 he established CFM Air, a start-up focused on the design of advanced light aircrafts, and in 2006 he founded DigiSky, a company specialized in the development of on-board electronics for sports aircrafts.
Maurizio Cheli earned a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1994 from the University of Houston, US, a Degree in Political Sciences from the University of Turin, Italy, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from ESCP Europe in Paris in 2007.
On May 17th 2018 he summited Mount Everest,the highest mountain in the world.
Currently is a board member of ASI (Italian Space Agency) and member of the board of directors of CIRA (Italian Center for Aerospace Research).
"Tutto in un istante" (Everything in a moment) is the title of his first book.
