The German Ambassador to Italy Visits Telespazio Headquarters

24 January 2025

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Italy, Hans-Dieter Lucas, visited Telespazio’s headquarters in Rome today. The Ambassador was welcomed by Telespazio’s CEO, Gabriele Pieralli, Leonardo’s Managing Director of the Space Business Unit, Massimo Claudio Comparini, Telespazio’s Chief Operating Officer, Giuseppe Aurilio, Leonardo’s Chief International Affairs Officer, Marco Buratti, and e-GEOS CEO, Milena Lerario.

The meeting highlighted the importance of Italy-Germany collaboration in the space sector, a relationship that has translated into strategic and innovative projects for years.

Telespazio has a strong presence in Germany through its subsidiary Telespazio Germany, a center of excellence in space operations and systems engineering, with offices in Darmstadt and Gilching. Furthermore, through its subsidiary e-GEOS, Telespazio successfully operates in the geoinformation services sector with GAF, a company with offices in Munich and Neustrelitz.

A concrete example of synergy between the two countries in the space domain is Spaceopal, the joint venture established in 2009 between Telespazio and DLR-GfR, a company of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Spaceopal is a global leader in satellite navigation services, responsible for the operations of Galileo, the European Union’s satellite navigation and positioning system.

Ambassador Hans-Dieter Lucas remarked: "Technology and innovation are essential to ensuring Europe is future-ready. The collaboration between Germany and Italy in the space sector is a remarkable example of this. Telespazio represents excellence in space technology and demonstrates the importance of partnerships in building the future together – from Earth observation to satellite communication. I am deeply impressed by what is being achieved here and look forward to the continuation of cooperation in this strategic field."

Telespazio CEO Gabriele Pieralli added: "This meeting was a valuable opportunity to strengthen dialogue between Italy and Germany in the space sector. Through our activities, such as those of Telespazio Germany, Spaceopal, and GAF, we demonstrate daily how international collaborations are key to tackling global technological challenges and creating value for Europe. We are proud to be a reference point for innovation and sustainability in such a strategic field."

From left: Gabriele Pieralli, CEO of Telespazio, Hans-Dieter Lucas, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Italy.

Massimo Claudio Comparini, Leonardo’s Managing Director of the Space Business Unit, said: “Germany and Italy are fondamental countries to shape the future of space in europe. Our long standing legacy in space projects cooperation is the best platform for Leonardo in space to contribute to a further growth with a number of players.” 

These collaborations not only reinforce Telespazio’s central role in the European space landscape but also demonstrate how the dialogue between Italy and Germany is essential for addressing technological challenges and fostering innovative services to benefit institutions, businesses, and communities across the European Union.

Other News & Stories

26.10.2026
Open Day at the Lario Space Centre together with PizzAut

On Thursday, 22 October, Telespazio’s Lario Space Centre, part of the Leonardo Group, opened its doors to employees and their families for an initiative dedicated to discovering space activities, sharing experiences and supporting solidarity.

20.10.2026
e-GEOS has built the new satellite laser ranging station at the Italian Space Agency’s Matera Space Centre

The new Matera Satellite Laser Ranging (MSLR) infrastructure, developed as part of an Italian Space Agency (ASI) project, supports space geodesy through highly precise measurements. The project builds on the e-GEOS decade-long expertise in laser ranging.

15.10.2026
Telespazio’s polar site in Sodankylä is ready for operations

Acquiring satellite data and making it available to those who run space missions is the job of the two S/X-band antennas that Telespazio has installed in Sodankylä, Finland, at the Arctic Space Centre operated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). Strategically located, the site is a benchmark for all of Finland: it hosts the country’s main infrastructure and works with the leading international players in space.

09.10.2026
Telespazio Benelux to build the ground infrastructure for ESA’s lunar ice-hunting mission

Telespazio Benelux will lead a European consortium, with EarthLab Luxembourg and Astro42, to deliver and operate the control centre for PROSPECT, ESA’s mission to drill for water ice and other volatile chemicals at the lunar south pole, with a drill developed and built by Leonardo.

26.10.2026
Open Day at the Lario Space Centre together with PizzAut

On Thursday, 22 October, Telespazio’s Lario Space Centre, part of the Leonardo Group, opened its doors to employees and their families for an initiative dedicated to discovering space activities, sharing experiences and supporting solidarity.

20.10.2026
e-GEOS has built the new satellite laser ranging station at the Italian Space Agency’s Matera Space Centre

The new Matera Satellite Laser Ranging (MSLR) infrastructure, developed as part of an Italian Space Agency (ASI) project, supports space geodesy through highly precise measurements. The project builds on the e-GEOS decade-long expertise in laser ranging.

15.10.2026
Telespazio’s polar site in Sodankylä is ready for operations

Acquiring satellite data and making it available to those who run space missions is the job of the two S/X-band antennas that Telespazio has installed in Sodankylä, Finland, at the Arctic Space Centre operated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). Strategically located, the site is a benchmark for all of Finland: it hosts the country’s main infrastructure and works with the leading international players in space.

09.10.2026
Telespazio Benelux to build the ground infrastructure for ESA’s lunar ice-hunting mission

Telespazio Benelux will lead a European consortium, with EarthLab Luxembourg and Astro42, to deliver and operate the control centre for PROSPECT, ESA’s mission to drill for water ice and other volatile chemicals at the lunar south pole, with a drill developed and built by Leonardo.