End-to-end technical review for IRIDE
IRIDE is a 1.4-billion-euro initiative funded by the Italian government through post-COVID recovery funds. The IRIDE program has seen a unique public procurement approach, led by the Integrated Project Team (IPT) of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the European Space Agency (ESA), under the stewardship of ESA.
The challenge
The IRIDE program included 30 individual procurement actions, with an allocation of budget that covers upstream, downstream, and services. These actions are strategically distributed across the entire industrial ecosystem, allocating approximately one-quarter of the budget to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
- Upstream: 34 baseline satellites, with an additional 35 satellites pending order activation, contingent on progress.
- Downstream: the creation of the Ground Segment, Marketplace, and CyberItaly, which are essential components in managing and utilizing the space assets effectively.
- Services: the development of national institutional services (8) supplemented by local services (5), further enhancing the reach and functionality of the space assets.
- Launch Services: 2 dedicated launches, with an option for an additional launch.
The uniqueness of the procurement actions within the IRIDE program has brought together companies with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. This diversity was also reflected in the working methods and the standards used by these entities. Therefore, the role of an external and independent company was necessary to facilitate collaboration among these various companies.
The review solution offered by ATG
In this program, ATG served as the sole actor in providing external technical support to the IPT.
ATG’s made extensive contributions across critical areas, including requirements definition, technical specifications, technical reviews, project management support, programmatic support, and communications. ATG’s support is specifically tailored to meet the program’s needs, ensuring alignment with standards, review methodologies, and risk profiles, among other factors.
ATG’s contribution to the IRIDE program comes from a rich history of technical knowledge and corporate experience. With over 40 years of supporting the European Space Agency and other industrial players, ATG has developed an unparalleled expertise in navigating the complexities of space technology.