Printable versionDetails about funded positions - 40th Cycle - Curriculum 7
(7A) GeoBlockchain applications in the space economy ecosystem
Funding institution: University of Bari
Doctoral site: University of Bari
Contact: Prof. Domenico Capolongo [domenico.capolongo [at] uniba.it]
Funds: Project funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The project aims to explore the transformative potential of integrating blockchain technology with geospatial data in the rapidly evolving space economy. This research focuses on developing innovative frameworks and methodologies that leverage GeoBlockchain to enhance the security, transparency, and efficiency of space-related operations.
The space economy encompasses a wide range of activities, including satellite communications, Earth observation, space tourism, and resource management. These activities generate vast amounts of geospatial data, which require robust management and secure handling. GeoBlockchain, with its decentralised and immutable ledger, offers a novel solution to address these challenges. Ensuring data integrity and traceability can mitigate risks such as data tampering and fraud.
(7B) Industrial aerospace and intellectual property (CUP E66E24000000001)
Funding institution: Thales Alenia Space Italia s.p.a.
Doctoral site: Thales Alenia Space Italia s.p.a. & University of Turin
Contact: Prof. Alessandro Cogo [alessandroenrico.cogo [at] unito.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C2 Inv. 3.3, Innovative PhDs
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: compulsory, minimum 6 months
A radical shift in the scenario is emerging on the horizon, with private enterprises increasingly being allowed to operate in space. Consequently, the traditional aerospace industry, which has arisen and developed as an extension of sovereign states, must adapt its strategies and business models to the progressive opening of the sector to competition. This also necessitates a deeper understanding of the role that intellectual property protection (and the necessary related investments) can play in defining sector dynamics. For instance, the transition from an ecosystem dominated by collaboration (or antagonism) among various operators linked to the geopolitical arrangements of the moment and the forms inherent in intergovernmental relations, where intellectual property protection has traditionally played a marginal role, to a new paradigm where there appears to be more room for the market and competition, suggests that greater attention should be paid to the use of private instruments for protecting technical innovations, confidential information (including commercial information), the distinctive capacity, and the reputation of business trademarks. This attention is necessary not only from a "defensive" perspective but also for better managing commercial relationships with industrial partners and customers in a sector that, by its nature, urgently raises the issue of ownership of data and information generated during the experimentation and use of technical equipment.
On the other hand, delving into the questions just outlined requires developing specific studies aware of the sector's particularities: among all, the need to address the questions related to the functioning of the intellectual property rights system in a context where one of the essential reference points of reasoning, constituted by the applicability of the invoked protection to the territory of a specific sovereign state, may be lacking or at least controversial. This is further complicated by a framework where the only existing international sources are programmatically based on the states' renunciation of claiming sovereign rights over the "territories" under exploration, the dedication of the achieved results to the common interest of peoples, freedom of research and experimentation, and the broadest collaboration.
(7C) Understanding the impact of climate change on security and defence services in the space industry (CUP E66E24000000001)
Funding institution: Geoville Information Systems and Data Processing GmbH
Doctoral site: Geoville Information Systems and Data Processing GmbH & Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori - IUSS Pavia
Contact: Prof. Andrea Taramelli [andrea.taramelli [at] iusspavia.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C2 Inv. 3.3, Innovative PhDs
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Climate change is significantly transforming natural, economic, and socio-political environments. The rise in temperatures in the atmosphere is leading to a greater frequency of extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, rise in sea-levels caused by melting ice caps and permafrost, and oceanic acidification and deoxygenation. The progressive modification of ecosystems increases the risk of species extinction, promotes the spread of infectious diseases, disrupts food chains, and leads to competition for resources—often determining the recalibration of diplomatic alliances.
In the context of the world’s biggest security issues threats and adaptation are evolving at pace.
In this regard, satellites could play a fundamental role in meeting the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. To mitigate the effects of climate change, the European Union is acting to strengthen its space programs by pursuing more autonomy and decision-making. Notably, maximizing the use of space for security and defence purposes helps to address current and future threats. In this respect, assessing the impact of climate change on security and defense is more crucial than ever.
In particular, the PhD should:
1. Understand the impact of climate change on defence and security, aligning with the NATO approach.
2. Collect security and defence needs for developing tailored earth observation services.
3. Understand and analyze budget requirements for security and defence needs.
(7D) Back to the future. A transdisciplinary pilot PhD Program of Space Diplomacy analyst for ASI, from the operational history to the preservation and dissemination of Archives (CUP F63C24000410005)
Funding institution: ASI – Italian Space Agency
Doctoral site: University of Padua
Contact: Prof. David Burigana [david.burigana [at] unipd.it]
Funds: Own funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The objective is to train a PhD candidate in the archiving, analysis, and dissemination of archival sources—documents, images, videos, audio, oral testimonies, objects, and spaces—contextualizing them between past and present, at both national and international levels. The descriptive literature on Italian space activities includes works by Giovanni Caprara, discussing endeavours, programs, and key figures, but lacks scientific literature based on cross-analysis of sources. The ASI scholarship represents a pioneering example thanks to the DN SST and the work within Curriculum 7. Three strengths distinguish it: the focus on the international dimension of Space Diplomacy, an interdisciplinary approach, and the methodology of operational history. Based on the research unit of Padua, the initial theme is "Origins and Development of the National Space Plan," analyzing projects with ASI and collecting testimonies from key figures like Luciano Guerriero and Umberto Vattani. In collaboration with the Historical Archives of the EU, the Ph.D. candidate will analyze national and international sources, leveraging the research unit’s experience in Europe, the USA, Russia, and China.