Italy is among the protagonists of the project for the development of a telecommunications system between Earth and Mars, thanks to the contract signed by the Italian Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space for the supply of the communication system and a radar for the International mission -Mars Ice Mapper.
Promoted by NASA, the Canadian space agency CSA and the Japanese space agency Jaxa and by ASI, it intends to measure the volume of water ice in areas of Mars other than the poles and the launch is currently scheduled between 2031 and 2033. In the presence
of president of ASI Teodoro Valente, the agreement was signed by the general director of ASI Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone and by the CEO of Thales Alenia Space Massimo Claudio Comparini.
The telecommunications system destined to become an active infrastructure in the Martian orbit and which will have to guarantee communications and data transfer between the Earth and vehicles, such as rovers and landers active on Martian soil, will therefore speak Italian.
The program also includes the development of technologies to accelerate the construction of new antennas (LDR-Large Deployable Antenna) and a new generation VHF sounding radar, designed to obtain a map of the reserves of water ice or liquid water underneath the surface of Mars.
"The signing of this contract is of extraordinary importance, it marks a significant step in the Italian presence in the field of exploration of the Red Planet, confirming our skills", observed Valente.
"It testifies, among other things - he added - to the joint commitment in pursuing ambitious objectives, which will have a positive impact on the scientific and industrial community, positioning Italy at the center of international space initiatives".
For Valente "the Mars Ice Mapper mission represents an important opportunity for growth in our ongoing commitment to space exploration and to seeking answers to fundamental questions about the origins of our Solar System".
The International Mars Ice Mapper system also includes a free-flyer equipped with a high-resolution camera which, after separation from the mother satellite, will perform observations in independent mode and in synergy with the radar systems, and a demo-lander intended to demonstrate innovative capabilities for safe and precise arrival on the Martian surface.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA