| Description: |
This year, the AFCEA Rome Chapter chose the Thales
Alenia Space Smart Space Factory to organize a
visit for
its members to a cutting-edge infrastructure
designed to support the development and production
of future
space platforms.
During the visit, which took place on 19 June,
participants had the opportunity to learn more
about the
concept of a "flexible factory", designed to adapt
to different application areas and to move beyond
the
traditional approach based on production lines
dedicated to a single product. In this context,
the Smart
Factory represents a modular and reconfigurable
environment, capable of responding rapidly to the
needs of
new space programmes.
In particular, a significant production pipeline
was presented, aimed at increasing data
transmission
capacity to Earth and operational autonomy in
orbit.
During the visit, innovative projects and future
initiatives focused on space exploration were also
presented.
A distinctive feature of the facility is the
presence of joint laboratories, known as Space
Joint Labs,
designed to foster collaboration with small and
medium-sized enterprises, future startups and
university
research centres, creating an ecosystem open to
innovation.
From an infrastructure perspective, the Smart
Factory is equipped with some of the most advanced
testing
facilities in Europe. These include:
- a large thermal chamber capable of simulating
the extreme temperature conditions typical of
space;
- a large anechoic chamber, currently the largest
in Europe, for electromagnetic testing;
- advanced tools for virtual and physical testing,
including integrated simulation systems and
digital twin
techniques.
In addition, innovative solutions for monitoring
and controlling production processes were
presented,
including "control tower" systems for centralized
activity management and automated technologies for
satellite integration and testing.
During the tour of the facility, the experts from
Thales Alenia Space - whom the Association thanks
for
their kind welcome - illustrated the main
activities of the Smart Factory with expertise and
availability,
providing AFCEA participants with a concrete
insight into the challenges and opportunities
linked to the
new space economy. |
