Alessandro Paravano, Assistant Professor at the POLIMI School of Management, has been recognised for his innovative research on the future of commercial space stations.

The POLIMI School of Management at Politecnico di Milano is among the winners of the SGAC – OHB SE Competition 2025, an international initiative that rewards innovative ideas on the future of space stations in low Earth orbit (LEO) – the area of space a few hundred kilometres above Earth where the International Space Station is currently located, and where new infrastructures for research, innovation and economic activity are expected to be developed in the coming years.

Organised by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in collaboration with OHB SE, one of Europe’s leading space technology companies, the competition brings together young professionals and researchers from around the world, inviting them to propose original perspectives on the future of Commercial Space Stations (CSSs). These infrastructures will succeed the International Space Station as platforms for scientific research, technological innovation and commercial initiatives.

The School’s achievement was made possible thanks to the contribution of Alessandro Paravano, Assistant Professor at POLIMI School of Management, author of the paper “Cross-Fertilization in Commercial Space Station Ecosystems: A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth”, co-authored with Sofia Morrone, Elisa Negrisolo and Paolo Trucco. Submissions to the competition were assessed for their ability to propose innovative approaches to new business models, global cooperation dynamics, and the long-term sustainability of commercial space station ecosystems.

Paravano’s research, based on network theory, highlights how the interdependencies between different actors – space agencies, private companies and research institutions – shape value creation processes within commercial space stations. His work stands out for its methodological rigour and innovative perspective, going beyond traditional market or technical analyses and offering new insights into how commercial space stations may evolve in a context where both competition and collaboration are crucial. This line of research also reflects broader trends in the space economy.

As part of the recognition, Paravano took part in two major international events: the 23rd Space Generation Congress (SGC) and the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), both held in Sydney between September and October 2025. These high-profile gatherings brought together young professionals, academics, industry leaders and policymakers, providing valuable opportunities for exchange and international collaboration.

The SGAC – OHB SE Competition 2025 was made possible thanks to the support of OHB SE, one of Europe’s leading space systems integrators. Headquartered in Germany, the company has over 40 years of experience and works closely with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on major programmes such as the ISS, the Lunar Gateway, PLATO and ExoMars.

This award highlights the commitment of the POLIMI School of Management to advancing research on the value, governance and long-term impact of complex projects, with a particular focus on the emerging challenges of the space economy.

Find out more about the SGAC – OHB SE Competition 2025 and its winners: SGAC Announces the Winners of the 2025 SGAC – OHB SE Competition – Space Generation Advisory Council