Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, has inaugurated its new Space Smart Factory in Rome. The $116 million advanced production facility is co-funded by Italy’s national recovery plan and investments from the two companies.
Located at the Tecnopolo Tiburtino innovation hub, the site brings together over 150 technology firms, including small and medium enterprises, creating a strong industrial ecosystem for space manufacturing.
High-Tech Satellite Production
Thales Alenia said the factory is designed to be among Europe’s largest and most advanced space manufacturing hubs. It features modular cleanrooms, digital twin systems and robotic assembly lines that can produce more than 100 satellites per year, supporting missions across telecommunications, Earth observation and navigation.
Initial operations will begin by the end of 2025, starting with the Sicral 3 satellite for Italy’s defense ministry, followed by integration work for Galileo’s second-generation satellites and Copernicus Earth observation missions.
Strengthening European Space Capabilities
According to Thales Alenia Space CEO Hervé Derrey, the new facility will enhance the company’s capacity and competitiveness across European and national space programs.
“Leveraging the latest technologies, the #SpaceSmartFactory will enhance Thales Alenia Space’s production capacity and its global competitiveness as a leading player in #Europe’s space industry,” he said via LinkedIn on Tuesday.