Italy's Space Agency calls for measures to keep Earth‑observation talent at home

Stefano Gualandris, board member of the Italian Space Agency and adviser on aerospace and defence to the finance minister, told a parliamentary session in Rome that Italy is among the world’s leading nations in Earth‑observation, covering optical, infrared, multispectral and radar technologies. Companies such as GeneGis illustrate the sector’s excellence and its contribution to national development.

Gualandris warned that many highly‑qualified young professionals are leaving Italy for higher salaries and faster career paths abroad. He urged the government to strengthen public support and incentives so that graduates can build careers in Italian firms from the start, rather than being recruited back after years overseas. The remarks were made during the “Space technologies and territorial governance” event at the Chamber of Deputies, which gathered key actors of the Italian space economy.

At the same forum, Salvatore Cincotti, founder and president of GeneGis, highlighted the growing diffusion of space‑based services, the importance of European autonomy in space, and the role of PNRR funding in boosting Italy’s capabilities. He called for closer collaboration with international partners, including the United States, to ensure Italian technologies and companies remain competitive.