The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Built by Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), the spacecraft is operated in orbit by Telespazio, itself a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%).

 

Fifty-nine minutes after separation from the launcher, the satellite’s signal was successfully acquired and controlled by Telespazio’s Fucino Space Center in Abruzzo, Italy. The Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) is expected to last approximately nine days.

 

Massimo Claudio Comparini, Managing Director of Leonardo’s Space Division, highlighted the national significance of the programme, stating that each COSMO-SkyMed launch represents a major achievement for the Italian space system and its supply chain. Developed to meet the requirements of the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defense, the programme reflects the technological and industrial excellence led by Leonardo together with Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and e-GEOS. He noted that Earth observation data is a strategic asset for security and sustainability, enabling increasingly targeted and timely services and interventions, while strengthening Italy’s role in space and generating value for both the country and the international community.

 

Giampiero Di Paolo, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italy and Senior Vice President Earth Observation, Exploration and Navigation, said the successful launch further demonstrates the company’s excellence in radar technology and the dedication of its teams. Once fully deployed with four satellites, the Second Generation constellation will deliver substantial technological and performance advances, reinforcing Thales Alenia Space’s global leadership in space-based Earth observation infrastructure.

 

COSMO-SkyMed, which stands for Constellation of Satellites for the Mediterranean basin Observation, is a dual-use Earth observation system owned by the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defense. Italian industry plays a leading role in the programme, with Leonardo and the joint ventures Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and e-GEOS, supported by a wide network of small and medium-sized enterprises.

 

This third Second Generation satellite, like the others in the constellation, was built by Thales Alenia Space and will ensure the operational continuity of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) services. It further enhances system performance in terms of image quality and area coverage. With three satellites now in orbit, the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation is progressively replacing the first-generation system, which comprises four satellites, two of which remain operational.

 

Using the latest technologies and engineering solutions, the new generation significantly increases overall system performance and expands the range of applications offered once the final configuration of four satellites is reached. The complete system, including the ground segment, sets a performance benchmark for space-based radar observation in accuracy, image quality and flexible user services.

 

Since the launch of the first COSMO-SkyMed satellite in 2007, approximately 4.3 million images have been acquired and archived. Over the years, the data has provided essential information for environmental and territorial monitoring, security and emergency management. As a mission participating in the European Copernicus programme, COSMO-SkyMed imagery is also vital to the European Commission’s Emergency Rapid Mapping service, operated by e-GEOS, which delivers satellite maps of areas affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises within hours.

 

Industry roles

Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the entire Second Generation COSMO-SkyMed programme, including satellite development and manufacturing, as well as the design, integration and commissioning of the end-to-end system. Telespazio manages the design and development of the ground segment and provides integrated logistics and operations services. From its Fucino Space Centre, Telespazio oversees all mission phases from LEOP through commissioning and routine operations.

 

Leonardo contributes key attitude control equipment and advanced systems for electrical power management and distribution. COSMO-SkyMed data is marketed worldwide by e-GEOS, jointly owned by the Italian Space Agency (20%) and Telespazio (80%), which holds exclusive commercialisation rights. As a mission user, e-GEOS processes the data for applications including emergency management, security, infrastructure monitoring, maritime traffic management, precision agriculture, and the monitoring of natural resources and ecosystems.