International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 Opens in Milan
The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024, the largest event ever organized in the space sector, has opened in Milan with over 11,000 participants and 30 astronauts in attendance. The event, also broadcast on the International Space Station, saw the participation of global industry leaders and space agencies. Clay Mowry, President of the International Astronautical Federation, highlighted sustainability and international cooperation as the central themes of this 75th edition. Among the exhibits are samples from the asteroid Bennu and the Moon.
President Mattarella and the Renaissance of Space
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, attended the opening ceremony, welcomed by local and national authorities. Guests included the Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso and the President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana. Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, spoke about “space as the face of the new renaissance,” emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration and the integration of digital technologies in the space sector.
Urso: “Using Space for Peaceful Purposes is a Necessity”
“The title chosen for this congress, ‘Responsible Space for Sustainability,’ is not a slogan but a goal, a program full of values, commitments, and inclusivity. Using space for peaceful purposes is even more important today, a necessity,” said the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, during the opening ceremony of the International Astronautical Congress 2024. According to the minister, “multilateral collaboration in the space sector should be an example and a model. This collaboration must also involve the business and research world. The presence of the President of the Republic underscores the importance Italy places on the space sector, one of the driving sectors of development and technological innovation with enormous social impacts. The choice of Milan is not accidental; Milan has always combined innovation and tradition, representing the excellence of the Italian spirit that looks determinedly to the future without forgetting the roots of the past. Holding the congress in Italy is a tribute to the country’s capabilities, which have established it as a leader in space technologies since the 1960s.”
Italy as a Leader in Space Cooperation
Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), emphasized the leading role Italy can play in space exploration. According to Valente, this occasion offers great opportunities for global cooperation, fostering the construction of a more inclusive and sustainable future. Space exploration, he concluded, can be a key to promoting peace, uniting countries in a common challenge.
