自80年代以来,意大利政府投入航天计划的资金逐年增长,从1980年的约1亿美元增加到1990年的将近10亿美元(见表)。这些经费中,有一半是对欧空局合作计划的投资。在欧空局的长远载人航天计划中,意大利占有相当可观的投资份额。欧洲载人航天计划共有四个组成部分,它们是密不可分的一个整体,意大利在其中所占的投资份额分别为:哥伦布实验室(总预算为55亿美元),意大利占25％;赫尔墨斯航天飞机(总70亿美元),意占 Since the 1980s, the funds invested by the Italian government into the space program have been increasing year by year, from about 100 million U.S. dollars in 1980 to almost 1 billion U.S. dollars in 1990 (see table). Of these funds, half are investments in ESA cooperation plans. In the ESA’s long-term manned space program, Italy has a considerable share of investment. There are four components of the European Manned Space Program. They are inseparable. The share of investment in Italy is: Columbus Laboratory (total budget is $5.5 billion), Italy 25%; Helmo Space Shuttle (7 billion U.S. dollars)