SpaceX successfully launched third satellite in Italy’s COSMO-SkyMed Second-Generation (CSG) constellation aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The satellite is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth-Observation satellite, jointly owned by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defense, built by Thales Alenia Space and operated by Telespazio.
The CSG-3 mission strengthens Italy’s dual-use (civil + defence) Earth-observation capability, offering high-resolution, all-weather, day-night radar imaging.
Key Highlights of Launch
- Satellite Name: COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG-3) / Flight Model-3
- Constellation: Third of four second-generation satellites
- Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
- Launch Date: 2 January 2026
- Mission Status: Successful launch and booster recovery
- Programme Partners:
- Italian Space Agency (ASI)
- Italian Ministry of Defence
- Thales Alenia Space (prime contractor)
- Telespazio (ground & operations)
Purpose: Earth-observation using SAR radar imaging, enabling monitoring through clouds, darkness, adverse weather, and supporting environmental monitoring, disaster response, and defence planning.
Launch Background & Timeline
- The mission faced multiple delays, originally planned for late December 2025.
- Delays were caused by:
- Technical issues at the launch pad
- Hydraulic system fault in the rocket-hold mechanism
- After safety checks, the mission launched smoothly without anomalies.
- The Falcon 9 booster landed safely, continuing SpaceX’s reusability reliability record.
About COSMO-SkyMed Programme
- Full Form: Constellation of Satellites for Mediterranean Basin Observation
- Nature: Dual-use (civil + military) Earth-observation system
- First-Generation: Four satellites launched (2007–2010) — three still operational
- Second-Generation: Progressive replacement with improved capability
- Contribution: Supports the European Copernicus Programme
- Data Archive: Over 4.3 million radar images collected since 2007
Technical Specifications & Capabilities (CSG-3)
- Platform: PRIMA satellite platform
- Payload: X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
- Max Radar Bandwidth: 400 MHz
- Imaging Modes:
- Spotlight-1 (military-exclusive)
- Spotlight-2 (sub-metric resolution ~ 0.3m × 0.5m)
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous, dawn-dusk orbit
- Altitude: 619 km
- Inclination: 97.86°
- Daily Imaging Capacity: 450–520 images per satellite per day
- Mass: approx. 2,240 kg
- Advantages of SAR:
- Works at night & through clouds
- Enables disaster mapping, land-use tracking, defence surveillance
Strategic Context & Programme Management
- Prime Contractor: Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67% / Leonardo 33%)
- Ground & Mission Operations: Telespazio (Leonardo 67% / Thales 33%)
- Strategic Objectives:
- Strengthen national security & surveillance
- Support Copernicus Emergency Rapid Mapping
- Enhance environmental monitoring & disaster response
- The programme represents a flagship asset of Italy’s space industry, improving:
- Revisit time
- Imaging flexibility
- Global observation capabilities
Timeline & Future Milestones
- CSG-3 has entered Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) (~9 days)
- Activities include:
- System health checks
- SAR antenna deployment
- In-Orbit Testing (IOT) & commissioning
- Final constellation:
- Four satellites in the same orbital plane
- Faster global coverage & improved revisit rates
- Fourth (final) CSG satellite is under production and will complete the system deployment.
How CSG-3 Strengthens Italy’s Space Strategy
- Replaces ageing first-generation satellites with higher-resolution & faster-response capability
- Supports civil agencies in:
- Flood mapping
- Earthquake damage assessment
- Land-use & environmental change analysis
- Supports defence operations via:
- Persistent surveillance
- Geospatial intelligence
- Reflects the modern dual-use nature of space assets — serving both security and civilian needs simultaneously
About SpaceX
- Founder: Elon Musk
- Founded: 2002
- Headquarters: Hawthorne, California, USA
- Key Programs: Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starship, Starlink
Falcon 9
- Type: Reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle
- Notable Feature: First orbital rocket with routine booster reuse
Vandenberg Space Force Base
- Location: California, USA
- Primary Use: Polar & sun-synchronous launches
Italian Space Agency (ASI)
- Founded: 1988
- Headquarters: Rome, Italy
- Role: National civil space authority of Italy
About Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
- Works on microwave radar signals
- Can capture images through clouds, smoke, fog, and at night
- Widely used for:
- Disaster assessment
- Ice & glacier monitoring
- Border & maritime surveillance
Copernicus Programme
- EU Earth Observation Programme
- Provides global environmental & emergency monitoring services