Operation Training & Simulation Unit
Argotec has a long and recognized history in various aerospace industry areas, including training and mission operations for the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as other industries or European agencies. Its certified instructors train the astronauts at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne and they also instruct the ground crew (the so-called flight controllers) in regards to voice protocol, ISS operations, control centres on Earth and flight rules.
Argotec aims to create new service opportunities within the space business, but also to develop many training and educational activities outside this area. Furthermore, the company provides strong expertise in systems engineering, for example designing and implementing various ground segment facilities for several operations centres and agencies.
The company provides engineering expertise in:

Argotec provides training solutions for technical training and academic learning environments. Our training skills and training techniques were acquired in several years of experience from space and defence business.
We assist our clients in selecting, developing and implementing the most effective training solutions. Argotec is able to provide expert instructors certified by NASA and ESA. We bring together traditional as well as technology based training approaches to construct blended solutions that make possible individual evolvement and contribute to overall performance. Argotec has extensive experience in space business, namely in managing simulations used to train International Space Station (ISS) controllers.
We have also developed training programs for the European Astronaut Centre (EAC). Our training methods encompass Formal/Informal Lectures , Demonstration Performances and On-Job Training Support & Evaluation.
Argotec capability covers the entire training and simulations spectrum:
- Requirements Analysis
- Definition and development of training solutions
- Project definition and scheduling
- Course delivery to Flight Controllers as well as to Astronauts
- Concept definition and implementation of Simulation
- Students evaluation and Flight Controllers Certifications


The services provided by Argotec to support operations cover:
- Ground and Flight Operations processes definition
- Operations concept definition
- Real-Time Console Operations execution
- Ground and Flight Procedures development and validation
Argotec has extensive experience and expertise in control center operations for manned space missions. Our personnel have supported a wide range of human spaceflight missions, some of them: Marco Polo Mission, Odissea Mission, Cervantes Mission, Delta Mission, Eneide Mission and Astrolab long duration Mission.
Latest News
View AllERMES: the first Lunar Smart Terminal
For three years, Argotec has been working on ANDROMEDA, a constellation of micro-satellites that will provide support to voice, video, and data transmission for scientific, technological, and commercial activities on the Moon. To improve this service, Argotec is also working on the first terminal that will be able to connect to this constellation, providing a […]
Argotec presents CARL
Argotec presents CARL (Satellite Attitude Control based on Reinforcement Learning), an innovative project that aims to develop an attitude control system for microsatellites based on Artificial Intelligence techniques. Argotec’s R&D department has been working on studies dedicated to the application of Machine Learning practices on microsatellite missions for years. CARL fits into the picture of […]
The Quango project was launched!
Today we joined the kick-off meeting of Quango, a new project that aims to design a secure communication network implementing Quantum technologies, 5G communications, and nanosatellites. More specifically, Quango aims to design a 12U-CubeSat low-earth-orbit satellite constellation, deployed in an orbit in space at 600km, that will combine capabilities for secure communications with QKD and […]
Argotec prime contractor of the ESA’s “MARS COMMS/NAV”
Argotec has won the announcement MARS COMMS/NAV promoted by the European Space Agency (ESA) in order to study and identify the most promising technologies in the field of Mars communications and navigation activities. The interest addressed to the red planet and all the activities connected is very high. As the prime contractor in a consortium […]
The Undersecretary Riccardo Fraccaro visits Argotec
On September 16th, Riccardo Fraccaro, the Undersecretary of State at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, has visited Argotec. He was accompanied by an institutional delegation composed by the City Mayor Chiara Appendino, the Admiral Carlo Massagli, and the Council Member Marco Pironti . Within the company’s laboratories, the young Argotec team showed the […]
Marco Montemagno interviews David Avino
Marco Montemagno interviews David Avino, Argotec Managing Director. Space Economy, microsatellites, vision, Mars, future…Don’t miss this interesting chat!
Argotec presents ANDROMEDA
Despite the Covid-19 emergency, Argotec is investing, hiring and presenting a new project: ANDROMEDA. ANDROMEDA is an innovative nanosatellite constellation for the lunar environment able to reconvert itself to face the global health emergency. For a long time, the company has studied using its Hawk satellite platform to develop a lunar constellation able to provide […]