From Genoa to the Moon: Leonardo’s Technology at the Heart of the Artemis II Mission

After more than fifty years, a new mission marks humanity’s return to the Moon, confirming the increasingly central role of the Italian aerospace industry on the international stage. In this context, Leonardo S.p.A., a major Genoa-based company, stands out as one of the key players in this new phase of space exploration.

Technologies from Leonardo S.p.A. and its joint ventures, Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, were part of NASA’s Artemis II launch mission at the Kennedy Space Centre, which saw four astronauts embark on a journey of around ten days aboard the Orion spacecraft, reaching a distance of approximately 7,400 km from the Moon. 

Around fifty engineers and technicians from Leonardo S.p.A. were involved in the project, having manufactured the photovoltaic panels for the four ‘wings’ of the service module and the electronic units for power control and distribution to the spacecraft at the Nerviano plant.

This milestone was made possible with the help of Thales Alenia Space, which oversaw the construction of the ESM (European Service Module) structure and critical subsystems, including the micrometeoroid protection system and thermal control, and by Telespazio, which is the prime contractor for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) MOONLIGHT programme, which will establish a satellite constellation around the Moon for communication and navigation services.

This initiative represents a strategic challenge aimed at establishing a permanent presence on the lunar surface, with significant implications for technological development, security and industrial competitiveness. The expertise and solutions developed for space are, in fact, set to generate data and strategic capabilities with practical applications on Earth as well.

This initiative opens up new strategic opportunities for the ‘Lunar Economy’, with direct implications for the region’s technological and industrial development. The expertise gained in space generates solutions and data that are also applicable on Earth, creating value for innovation clusters.

For Genoa and Liguria region, these developments represent a significant opportunity to enhance the industrial and technological sector, strengthening the area’s position as a hub of high-level innovation.

Edited by: Alessia Malfatto