SpaceX Deploys Italian COSMO-SkyMed Radar Satellite to Begin 2026 Schedule

SpaceX initiated its orbital launch manifest for 2026 on Friday, January 2, successfully deploying the third COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG-3) satellite for Italian governmental agencies. The mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:09 p.m. EST, marking the first orbital mission globally for the new year. This launch underscored the operational tempo established by SpaceX in the preceding year, which concluded with 165 orbital missions completed in 2025.

The Falcon 9 rocket utilized for the mission featured a first-stage booster completing its 21st flight, demonstrating the maturity of the reusable vehicle architecture. Following the ascent, the booster executed a precise vertical landing at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. The CSG-3 satellite was successfully placed into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 385 miles (620 kilometers).

The CSG-3 satellite, constructed by Thales Alenia Space, is a crucial element of the dual-use radar Earth observation constellation managed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence. It incorporates an X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, enabling the collection of imagery day or night and through adverse weather conditions for applications ranging from maritime surveillance to land deformation analysis. The continuity provided by CSG-3 is essential as it progressively replaces the first-generation COSMO-SkyMed system.

Following spacecraft separation, the CSG-3 signal was acquired by Telespazio's Fucino Space Centre in Abruzzo, Italy, 59 minutes post-separation. Telespazio, a joint venture involving Leonardo and Thales, is managing the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) services, which are projected to last about nine days until the satellite reaches its final operational configuration. The Fucino Space Centre, recognized for its specialized capability in handling high-stakes orbital insertion, confirmed the robust ground segment supporting this strategic Italian asset.

This successful launch highlights the increasing reliance on commercial providers for critical national security and environmental assets. SpaceX’s ability to maintain a rapid cadence, with the next scheduled mission set for just one day later, facilitates reliable and frequent access to space for governments prioritizing security and climate monitoring. Data from the CSG constellation is commercially marketed worldwide by e-GEOS, a partnership between ASI and Telespazio, which develops operational services for emergency management and infrastructure monitoring.