The third second generation Cosmo-Skymed satellite was launched thanks to the American SpaceX and will be used for observations in the civil and military fields.
The third satellite of the Italian Cosmo-SkyMed second generation (CSG) constellation built by Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) has been put into orbit and is operated by Telespazio, itself a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%).
The launch took place at 3:09 am Italian time on January 3 from the Space Force base in Vanderberg, California, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Less than an hour later after separation from the launcher, the satellite’s signal was acquired and controlled by the Telespazio Space Center in Fucino.
Defense and Earth observation: the strategic value
The satellite constitutes the third operational unit of the Italian constellation dedicated to Defense and Earth observation owned by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Ministry of Defense. Massimo Claudio Comparini, executive director of Leonardo’s Space division, said: “Each launch of Cosmo-SkyMed represents a significant milestone for the Italian national space system and its production chain. The program, developed to meet the requirements of the ASI and the Ministry of Defence, reflects the technological and industrial excellence led by Leonardo together with the joint ventures Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and e-Geos (Asi 20%, Telespazio 80%), which markets the data collected and elaborated). Earth observation and the resulting data are a strategic resource for security and sustainability, allowing increasingly targeted and timely services and interventions. This commitment strengthens Italy’s role in space and contributes to generating value for the country and the international community.”
Radar technology and industrial leadership
Giampiero Di Paolo, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italia, commented: “As responsible for the entire second generation Cosmo-SkyMed programme, Thales Alenia Space is extremely proud of this successful launch which further demonstrates the company’s excellence in radar technology as well as the dedication of our collaborators. Once fully deployed with its four satellites, the constellation will bring significant technological and performance advances, strengthening Thales Alenia Space’s global leadership in space observation infrastructure of the Planet.”
The role of the Italian industry in the Cosmo-SkyMed program
Cosmo-SkyMed (which was born as a constellation of satellites for the observation of the Mediterranean basin), is a constellation in whose development the Italian industry plays a leading role. In addition to Leonardo and the joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, a significant number of small and medium-sized companies are involved.
This third CSG satellite will help ensure the operational continuity of the “SAR” radar services (from synthetic aperture radar), improving the high performance in terms of image quality and territorial coverage achieved since the first generation.
New technologies and operational applications
In fact, with the launch of the third satellite, new technologies and engineering solutions are introduced for the flight and ground segments which will increase the territorial coverage capabilities and make the constellation safer and more robust, significantly expanding the range of applications offered. Services include emergency management support, security, infrastructure monitoring, maritime traffic management, precision agriculture and monitoring of natural resources and ecosystems.
Towards the completion of the constellation
The constellation will later be completed with the launch of the fourth satellite currently in the integration and testing phase and which will be launched in a year.
Over the years, the data obtained from this system has provided fundamental information for environmental and territorial monitoring, for safety and for emergency management. Since the launch of the first satellite in 2007, Cosmo-Skymed has provided approximately 4.3 million images which have contributed to improving the observation systems of our planet, also contributing to European monitoring systems (such as Copernicus) and has been used by many international institutional users for the European Emergency Rapid Mapping service of the European Commission, operated by e-Geos, which provides satellite maps of areas affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises within a few hours.
The role of Telespazio and Leonardo
For the Italian industry the project plays a leading role: Telespazio is responsible for the design and development of the CSG ground segment and the provision of integrated logistics and operations services. The Telespazio space center in Fucino, where the first telemetry data sent by the newly launched satellite were acquired, will manage the mission from the launch and initial orbit phases of the satellite, up to the verification, commissioning and operational phases. Leonardo contributes to the program by providing attitude control equipment and cutting-edge units for the management and distribution of on-board electrical energy.
