Italy is not only the home of art, fashion, and design. The "Belpaese" is also a key player in a global space revolution. Building on a solid engineering tradition, Italian companies like Zoppas Industries are bringing "Made in Italy" into space, contributing specialised expertise to the New Space Economy.
Zoppas Industries, in particular, acts not only as a technological provider but also as a driver of innovation and the gravitational center of an excellence-driven movement, centered around the Rir Air project.
The association was founded by ZIHET itself and is led by Federico Zoppas, Managing Director of Zoppas Industries.
Zoppas Industries: A thermal heart for space
Zoppas Industries is best known for its electric heating systems, but its contribution goes far beyond industrial heating. The company operates in over 200 application sectors, including aerospace, defense, and scientific research.
In the space sector, its thermal management systems are fundamental to ensuring stability and performance in satellites, spacecraft, and other orbiting infrastructures—a crucial element for survival and operational efficiency in extreme conditions.
The Rir Air project: A regional aerospace ecosystem
Rir Air (Regional Innovative Network for Aerospace Innovation and Research) is a network created to connect businesses and institutions in the Veneto region, with the goal of transforming the area into a strategic hub for the aerospace sector.
Mission and objectives of the Rir Air project
The mission of Rir Air is to facilitate technology transfer between the aerospace sector and the local industrial supply chain through applications with high economic and social impact.
The project's technological objectives include:
- Development of lightweight and resistant materials for space structures;
- Life-support technologies for long-term missions, including environmental monitoring systems and astronaut safety;
- Solutions for microgravity cultivation, food production, and the utilisation of extraterrestrial resources;
- Technologies for orbital access, propulsion, miniaturisation, and automation, including planetary-scale communication systems.
The leadership of Zoppas Industries
As previously mentioned, Zoppas Industries is one of the primary founders of the Rir Air network. Dr. Federico Zoppas, Managing Director of Zoppas Industries, also holds the position of President of the Consortium.
Within the association's board of directors, representing IRCA (Zoppas’ heating division), Federico Zoppas leads the strategies alongside other leaders from the regional aerospace sector.
Rir Air services and initiatives
Rir Air offers several key services to its members:
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Support in participating in national, European, and international projects;
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Training activities, including seminars, courses (including remote learning), and continuous education;
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Promotion and organisation of conferences, trade fairs, and publications to increase the visibility of developed technologies;
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Technical and organisational support for spin-offs, start-ups, and activities aimed at capitalising on research results.
Projects and tangible results
Rir Air has already secured funding to consolidate the network. For example, it has received a grant from the Veneto Regional Programme ERDF 2021-2027 to support the network’s activities.
Innovative projects promoted include:
- VIR2EM (Virtualisation and Remotisation for Resilient and Efficient Manufacturing): An initiative aimed at digitalising, virtualising, and remotising production systems, enhancing both their efficiency and resilience.
- Venetian Satellite Constellation: Rir Air coordinates a project involving six companies and two universities to develop a regional satellite constellation with applications in communications, Earth observation, and emergency management.
The strategic value of the Rir Air project for Italy
The Rir Air project represents a virtuous model of how the local industrial fabric can integrate into the global space economy. With over one hundred member companies, universities, and research centres, the Venetian aerospace cluster serves as a lever for economic and technological development.
Federico Zoppas has emphasised on several occasions how the AIR ecosystem allows SMEs in the Veneto region to compete on a global scale and connect with major international players, thanks to the synergy between innovation, research, and manufacturing capacity.
For Zoppas Industries, being an active part of Rir Air means not only contributing its technology but also investing in the country’s future: an Italian legacy looking towards the stars.
An Italian legacy in space
In a world where space is no longer solely the domain of governments but also of businesses, the Italian vision of Zoppas Industries and Rir Air shines brightly. Through the Venetian aerospace network, ZIHET does not merely provide components: it builds bridges between industry and research, trains talent, launches ambitious projects, and strengthens Italy’s role in the space economy.
This commitment is not only a tribute to Italian roots in design and engineering but a true bet on the future: because the heat of today can ignite the missions of tomorrow.