antonio salza

Space Factory Srl is a limited liability company based at the Innovation Factory Technology Hub in East Naples. Founded in 2015, the company specializes in the design and development of innovative deployable (and, when needed, inflatable) technologies for the autonomous and controlled re-entry of spacecraft from space, as well as their recovery and reuse. It also provides third-party services for scientific experiments in microgravity conditions using proprietary mini-laboratories. Space Factory holds strategic stakes in ALI S.p.A. and Marscenter Srl and is also a member of the Campania Aerospace District. Marscenter was the first company in Italy, and among the first in Europe, to focus on research and management of microgravity experiments. The current workforce of the Space Factory Group, augmented by 8 external consultants, comprises 24 employees engaged in research, design, administration, and corporate control activities. Technological Competencies: The company’s expertise spans microgravity, program management, systems engineering, mission analysis, design, MAIT (Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, and Testing), electronics, software, safety, and communications. Products and Services: Space Factory plans to develop the following products and services, some of which have already been tested at the component technology level (e.g., thermal shield, deployable re-entry system) and as standalone products (e.g., MiniLab): MiniLab 2.0: An "intelligent" mini-laboratory, an evolution of the current model, enabling remote control and management., NanoSatLab: A MiniLab 2.0 equipped with a de-orbiting system but without a re-entry capability., IREOS 1: A microsatellite featuring an autonomous and controlled re-entry system, with two MiniLab 2.0 units as payloads and a precision landing system., IREOS 2: An enhanced microsatellite with autonomous and controlled re-entry, carrying three MiniLab 2.0 units, a precision landing system, and capabilities for recovery and reuse., CADIRASAT: A satellite deployed from space stations, functioning as "space mail" for the autonomous and controlled return of experiments, equipment, and other materials, complete with a precision landing system and recovery and reuse capabilities. Intellectual Property: To protect its irene® technology and MiniLab systems, Space Factory has filed six patents: Patent No. 102016000063356: Use of silica-based material in aerospace applications., Patent No. 102016000073190: Decelerator for bodies during aerospace landings., Patent No. 102021000003344: Process for manufacturing a thermal protection system (TPS)., Patent No. 102021000001313: Decelerator with combined technologies., Patent No. 102021000004712: Impact damper., Italian Patent Application No. 102022000015381: Modular mini-laboratory.