SpaceX
SpaceX kicks off 2026 with COSMO-SkyMed second generation mission launch
On January 2, SpaceX launched its first space mission of 2026 with the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite via the Falcon 9 rocket. The mission was carried out from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation is designed to monitor the Earth for emergency prevention, strategy, scientific, and commercial purposes, and provide data for different scenarios, including:
- Risk management
- Cartography
- Forest and environmental protection
- Natural resources exploration
- Land management
- Defense and security
- Maritime surveillance
- Food and agricultural management
The second-gen satellite launch is supported by Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), the Italian Ministry of Defence, and the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Scientific Research.
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster used for COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Mission
This was the 21st flight for the first stage booster, which previously supported the following missions:
- Crew-7,
- CRS-29,
- PACE,
- Transporter-10,
- EarthCARE,
- NROL-186,
- Transporter-13,
- TRACERS,
- NROL-48,
- And 11 Starlink missions.
After the first stage separation, the booster performed its boostback burn, entry burn while maintaining its vertical landing trajectory, followed by the final burn while simultaneously deploying landing legs to complete a touchdown on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The company conducted the second stage engin cutoff at 10:30 minutes in the mission and performed a satellite deployment at 12:52 minutes.
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