The ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI GEOFISICA E VULCANOLOGIA (INGV) was established in 1999 by merging five Italian scientific institutions dealing with geophysics, volcanic, seismic and geochemistry research and monitoring.
INGV is a government institution, under the supervision of the Ministry of University and Research, that, with more than 1000 people employed, is one of the most important scientific institution in Europe devoted to studies in geophysics as well as in seismic and volcanic hazards. 
INGV recently established the Earth Space Observation Center (COS) with the aim of linking and planning the activities of the Institute in the fields of Space and Aerospace, as well as to encourage the participation of researchers in designing and implementing services and products for scientific research and applications for other institutions and the society. In this area, INGV plays a particularly suitable role for cooperation with industrial partners by providing a series of complementary activities.
The COS coordinates the activities of competence in agreement with the three reference Departments, namely Environment, Earthquakes and Volcanoes, and the INGV Sections / Observatories which, through monitoring, surveillance, research and services for the company operate in the Space and Aerospace sector, and it is the INGV structure dedicated to planning INGV activities related to the sector. The center favors the participation of researchers in the generation of services and products for society and external entities.
The COS represents the INGV in working groups or committees operating in the Space and Aerospace sector at national level, in particular those indicated by COMINT (Interministerial Committee for policies relating to space and aerospace), MUR (Ministry of University and della Ricerca) and ASI (Italian Space Agency), and internationally by ESA (European Space Agency), EU (European Union), ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), COSPAR (Commette on Space Research), United Nations and other Agencies Space (NASA-National Aeronautics and Space Administration, CNSA- China National Space Administration, JAXA-Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, CONAE-Argentina National Space Activities Commission, CSA- Canadian Space Agency, etc.).
The COS can also participate in researchers and technologists from other Bodies and Universities associated with INGV.
