Italy’s third COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) satellite has successfully launched, marking a key step in upgrading the national Earth-observation constellation. The spacecraft lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Approximately one hour after liftoff, the satellite’s signal was acquired by the Telespazio ground station in Fucino, Italy. The critical launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) will last about nine days to ensure the satellite is correctly positioned and operational.
This new satellite, like its predecessors, was built by the European joint venture Thales Alenia Space. It is designed to ensure the operational continuity and enhancement of the COSMO-SkyMed system, a flagship program co-owned by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defense. The radar (SAR) satellite will deliver high-quality imagery for a wide range of dual-use applications, from national security and emergency response to environmental monitoring.
“This launch reinforces the technological excellence of the Italian space industry,” said Massimo Claudio Comparini of Leonardo, highlighting the program’s role in generating strategic value for Italy and its international partners.
Giampiero Di Paolo, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in Italy, added that the successful mission underscores the company’s global leadership in radar observation infrastructure. The complete four-satellite second-generation constellation will offer significant performance improvements over the first-generation system it is replacing.
The COSMO-SkyMed program represents a cornerstone of Italian industrial cooperation. Thales Alenia Space serves as the prime contractor for the satellites and system. Telespazio manages the ground segment and satellite operations from Fucino. Leonardo supplies critical onboard equipment like attitude control systems. The data is processed and commercially distributed worldwide by e-GEOS, a company owned by ASI and Telespazio.
Since the first satellite launched in 2007, the COSMO-SkyMed constellation has acquired over 4.3 million images. Its data is vital for the European Union’s Copernicus program, where it supports rapid mapping for natural disasters, providing crucial information within hours of a crisis.
