## 4 Discussion  
The uniqueness of IRIDE lies in its constellation that comprises dozens of satellites of smaller dimensions compared to Italy's main developed devices, such as Cosmo-SkyMed. Notably, these satellites will not all be identical but of various sizes to accommodate sensors and instruments of different natures and complexities, resulting in varying weights.  
A noteworthy aspect is the active participation of over 47 Italian companies in the project, responsible for constructing the system and providing services to users. Additionally, the involvement of more than 10 administrations, representing approximately 23% of the Italian surface area, 37% of the population, and 33% of the national GDP, is significant. Numerous stakeholders stand to benefit from the data that IRIDE will make available.  
Figure 1: Main topics related to IRIDE and Earth observation platform and services underlined in RSC.  
Already signed agreements enable IRIDE to establish collaboration within a national team. Out of the 34 commissioned satellites (with an additional 35 as optional), the creation of the initial 22, financed with a total of EUR 68 million, was entrusted to the Turin-based Argotec enterprise (10 devices with an option for another 15) and Ohb Italia (12 satellites plus a potential additional 15). The latter is also assigned the responsibility of managing the flight operation segment, i.e., in-orbit management. Argotec will lead an industrial group consisting of Officina Stellare and Rhea System to deliver the first 10 high-resolution multispectral satellites by November 2024. Ohb Italia, at the helm of a team comprising Optec, Telespazio, and Aresys, will provide similar equipment. Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), will construct six SARs (synthetic aperture radars) satellites and one optical satellite. Two agreements, one valued at EUR 112 million and the other at EUR 30 million, also include an option for an additional four SAR satellites (for EUR 75 million) and an optical one (for EUR 19 million). These satellites will utilize the NIMBUS (new Italian micro bus) modular platform of approximately 170 kg, designed by Thales Alenia Space for high-revisited and high-production-capacity constellations. The supply of the payload data ground segment (PDGS) of the constellation, valued at EUR 25 million, was awarded to the Apulian company Exprivia. Over the next three years, Exprivia, leading a group comprising Telespazio, Planetek Italia, Serco Italia, and Aresys, will manage the platform capable of collecting and processing data from the 34 satellites for studying natural climatic and territorial phenomena. Exprivia's press release emphasizes the provision of useful tools for government agencies in decision-making processes related to monitoring natural phenomena, crisis scenarios, and maritime traffic. The two most recent assignments went to D-Orbit and Sitael. D-Orbit, with a EUR 26 million order, will build a satellite utilizing microwave technology to provide high-resolution images for nighttime or cloudy conditions. The agreement, including Meta-sensing for sensor development, incorporates an option for an additional satellite for EUR 24 million.