The Aerospace Festival at the Archaeological Museum of Olbia

October 1–3: Three days featuring astronauts, new technologies, and the frontiers of the Space Economy

For three days, Olbia becomes a prime vantage point for the future. From October 1 to 3, the Archaeological Museum will host the fourth edition of the Aerospace Festival, an event that brings astronauts, researchers, companies, and key players in the new Space Economy to Sardinia, transforming the city into a meeting place for science, innovation, and major international developments.At the heart of the program is a question that, until just a few years ago, seemed to belong to the realm of science fiction: How will it be possible to live and work on the Moon for increasingly longer periods?

Museo Archeologico di Olbia

To make long-duration missions sustainable, it will not be feasible to continue transporting everything needed from Earth. One of the challenges is learning to directly utilize the resources available in space, transforming them into water, oxygen, construction materials, and even propellants.This is the principle of In-Situ Resource Utilization, one of the most fascinating frontiers of modern space exploration. On the Moon, for example, research is exploring the possibility of using water ice found in the polar regions and extracting oxygen from regolith—the layer of dust and rock fragments covering the surface. These technologies could radically change the way we conceive of future missions to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars.October 2 will be dedicated specifically to this topic, with the session “From Extraterrestrial Resources to the Sustainable Exploration of the Moon and Mars.”

On the same day, Olbia will also host a session of the Stati Generali della Space Economy, focused on extraterrestrial resources and raw materials: an opportunity to take a close look at how scientific research, industry, and innovation are building an economy increasingly tied to space.Guests will include astronauts Luca Parmitano, joining via video link from Houston, and Meganne Christian, along with representatives from space agencies, universities, research centers, institutions, and companies. The central theme of this year’s edition will be enabling technologies: artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, new materials, advanced manufacturing, automation, telecommunications, and infrastructure—presented not only as tools of the future, but as sectors already capable of generating new skills, professions, and opportunities.

The Festival, however, is not intended solely for industry professionals. Students, families, and anyone simply curiouscan participate in workshops, meetings, and activities designed to bring the public closer to aerospace research. Among the events are an in-depth session dedicated to the Einstein Telescope project, the STEM Salons, and the “Books in Orbit” meetings, alongside exhibitions and educational sessions.This program makes the event an interesting destination even for those who choose to experience Olbia and the Gallura region during the off-season.

When the hustle and bustle of summer subsides, the city reveals a more intimate and authentic side, and for a few days, our gaze shifts from the Mediterranean toward an even more distant horizon: the Moon, Mars, and the new frontiers of human exploration.

The Aerospace Festival is free and open to the public; reservations are recommended for some activities.