> Science The Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana or ASI) has signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch science experiments on Starship's first commercial flights to Mars. ASI President Teodoro Valente made the announcement on social media about the "first-of-its-kind agreement" to gather scientific data during the missions. Italy is going to Mars! @ASI_Spazio and @SpaceX have signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to carry Italian experiments on the first Starship flights to Mars with customers. The payloads will gather scientific data during the missions. Italy continues to lead in space exploration! pic.twitter.com/AGFoX85KnH — Teodoro Valente (@Valente_Teodoro) August 7, 2025 According to the agency's official statement, the payloads by ASI include a plant growth experiment, a meteorological monitoring station, and a radiation sensor among other things. "The goal is to collect scientific data during the approximately six-month interplanetary flight phase that Starship will undertake from Earth to Mars and subsequently to the Martian surface," the statement read. Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, also posted about Starship's upcoming mission to Mars. Get on board! We are going to Mars! SpaceX is now offering Starship services to the red planet. We’re excited to work with the Italian Space Agency on this first-of-its-kind agreement. More to come https://t.co/nmAw6PK8lO — Gwynne Shotwell (@Gwynne_Shotwell) August 7, 2025 "Get on board! We are going to Mars! SpaceX is now offering Starship services to the red planet. We're excited to work with the Italian Space Agency on this first-of-its-kind agreement. More to come," Shotwell said.