Cluster Aerospaziale Marche (EXPLOORE)
Description
The Exploore Cluster was established in April 2022 with the objective of fostering cooperation among industry, universities, and research institutions in the Marche Region, with the aim of creating business opportunities and supporting the development of the local economy.
The Exploore network includes 25 high-technology companies, including 5 large enterprises and 20 SMEs, together with all major regional universities: the Polytechnic University of Marche, the University of Camerino, the University of Macerata, and the University of Urbino.
The Region is characterized by a strong manufacturing base, with companies whose products are distributed across international markets. More recently, the need to move production toward higher technological intensity has encouraged the development of new start-up initiatives.
Many companies traditionally active in the automotive, textile, mechanics, and medical sectors are now investing in aerospace, supported by universities and research centres. Materials and production processes originally developed for automotive applications have been found suitable for aerospace products after qualification. Likewise, manufacturing mechanisms and high-tech textile materials are being transferred and adapted for use in the space sector, including human life-support in space environment.
Space highlights
The characteristics of the Marche industrial landscape facilitate the transition from traditional institutional markets to the emerging New Space Economy. The following projects and capabilities were listed here below:
• SFS 1 and 2 (Space Flight Suit), already flown with Virgin Galactic and AXIOM.
• SSMS dispenser on the Vega launcher for the launch of commercial small satellites in rideshare configuration, providing secondary access to space for smaller payloads and limited budgets.
• Mechanisms for small-satellite in-orbit separation.
• Mechanisms for in-orbit service operations.
• Carbon-fibre material production for satellite structures.
• Additive manufacturing techniques for the production of complex space sub-assemblies.
• Hardware and software products for navigation systems and in-orbit operations.
• PCB (Printed Circuit Board) production for space applications.
• Electronic board production for space projects.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but it illustrates the competitiveness of the regional industrial ecosystem in the evolving era of the space economy.
Contact
Region: Marche
Presidente del Cluster: Lanfranco Zucconi
Headquarters:
Via Marsala 15, Ancona, Italia
Point of Contact: Segreteria Caterina Marozzi
+39 347 1520300
https://www.explooremarche.it/
