SpaceX launched a significant milestone into orbit at the dawn of 2026, delivering Italy’s latest Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) satellite aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission, marking the first Italian Earth observation payload of the year, underscores the growing collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and SpaceX’s reliable ride-share capabilities. Designed to enhance radar imaging for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and security purposes, the satellite elevates Italy’s strategic capabilities by providing all-weather, day-and-night surveillance from space.

The Falcon 9’s highly precise deployment, executed from Cape Canaveral, guarantees optimal orbital insertion to maximize the satellite’s efficiency. Key features and objectives of the Cosmo-SkyMed mission include:

  • Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Enables high-resolution imaging even through clouds or…