Sardinia deep space antenna. Photo: Telespazio

Telespazio has won a new contract from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to help expand the space capacity of the ASI Sardinia Deep Space Antenna (SDSA). The SDSA already shares a portion of its systems and infrastructures with the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), managed by the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) for the purposes of radio astronomy. With the upgrade project, SDSA will be provided with state-of-the-art equipment that the ASI will use in its own work in space. Telespazio announced the contract win on Oct. 4.

The project aims to further develop Italy’s infrastructure for research in space, helping consolidate the country’s role in the field of navigation and communication services for both Deep Space and Near Earth missions of robotic and human exploration, specializing in lunar missions and support for scientific experiments. Telespazio said the contract award confirms the importance of space exploration activities, and in particular those related to the lunar economy.

Under the contract, the Italian Space Agency has asked Telespazio to upgrade the Sardinia Deep Space Antenna with renewal of cryogenic systems for reception in the X- and Ka-bands in Deep Space applications and introduction of advanced systems for the X- and K-bands in Near Space, essential to ensure reliable, accurate communications during scientific and experimental missions. The project also includes expansion of existing civil infrastructure and construction of new buildings, including a laboratory for the collection and analysis of mission data, both at the main site of San Basilio and at the future SDSA Research Center currently being completed in Selargius, also in the province of Cagliari.