New Record in Qualification Testing in 2025 Supporting the Aerospace Industry and SMEs

In 2025, the CIRA Space Qualification Centre achieved a new record, carrying out over 40 test campaigns, further confirming its position of excellence in the field of qualification testing for aerospace systems. This outstanding result strengthens CIRA’s central role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and major aerospace companies, contributing significantly to the growth of the Italian and European space sectors.

Throughout 2025, the laboratory continued to play a key role in major space programmes, including Space Rider and PLATiNO, as well as in more recent projects such as RAMSESS (RAdiation Measurement Sensor with Enhanced Sensibility for Space Exploration), focused on the development of an innovative sensor for measuring cosmic radiation, and RAMSES (Rapid Apophis Mission for SpacE Safety), a planetary defence mission aimed at rendezvousing with asteroid 99942 Apophis, which will pass just 32,000 km from Earth on 13 April 2029. Starting in 2026, these programs will be joined by ICARVS, an innovative project dedicated to the validation of satellite technologies in extreme environments, highlighting CIRA’s ongoing commitment to providing expertise and support to the most challenging space programs.

In 2025, the laboratory also continued to support leading companies such as SITAEL, Civitanavi, EnduroSat, Tyvak and Kayser, while at the same time providing a fundamental contribution to numerous SMEs in the sector. Thanks to CIRA’s support, many of these companies successfully completed the development of their space products, enhancing their competitiveness at an international level.

This effort is complemented by continuous investment in new testing infrastructures, which will further strengthen CIRA’s ability to support the space industry. New facilities,  including the DFAN facility for launch acoustic excitation tests, a 200 kN shaker, and an EMC chamber for electromagnetic compatibility and susceptibility testing, will enable the laboratory to address the most advanced challenges in the validation of space technologies.

With more than a decade of achievements, the CIRA Space Qualification Centre continues to stand as a key pillar of the aerospace industry, providing strategic support to both large companies and SMEs, and further consolidating its leadership in space qualification in Italy and across Europe.