COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Mission

Falcon 9 Powers COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Mission into Orbit

On January 3, 2026, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying the latest addition to Italy's COSMO-SkyMed constellation. This mission, part of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) program, deployed an advanced radar imaging satellite designed to enhance global Earth observation capabilities. The launch marked another milestone in international space collaboration, underscoring the growing reliance on reusable launch vehicles for sophisticated payloads.

At the heart of the mission are its objectives: to bolster environmental monitoring, disaster management, and defense applications through high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The CSG satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defense, features improved imaging resolution down to 0.3 meters in spotlight mode, enabling detailed analysis of urban areas, agricultural fields, and maritime zones. Unlike optical satellites, SAR technology penetrates clouds and operates in darkness, making it invaluable for real-time crisis response, such as tracking oil spills or assessing earthquake damage. Payload capabilities include dual-polarization imaging and interferometric modes, which allow for precise measurements of ground deformation—critical for monitoring subsidence in vulnerable regions like Venice or California's Central Valley. With a mass of approximately 2,200 kilograms and an operational lifespan of seven years in sun-synchronous orbit at 620 kilometers altitude, this satellite expands the constellation's capacity to revisit sites every few hours, supporting both civilian and military users.

The Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX's workhorse, exemplifies modern reusable launch technology. Standing 70 meters tall with a diameter of 3.7 meters, it consists of two stages: the first powered by nine Merlin 1D engines generating 7,607 kN of thrust at sea level, and the second by a single vacuum-optimized Merlin engine. The vehicle can deliver up to 22,800 kilograms to low Earth orbit in expendable mode, though reusability reduces this to about 16,700 kilograms. Key innovations include grid fins for atmospheric reentry control and landing legs for vertical touchdown, enabling booster recovery. For this mission, the first stage successfully landed on a droneship in the Atlantic, demonstrating the rocket's efficiency in reducing launch costs from tens of millions to around $67 million per flight.

Falcon 9's performance history is a testament to its reliability. Since