The recent successful deployment of the third satellite in the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) constellation marks a significant milestone in Italy’s space capabilities. This satellite, jointly owned by the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defense, was meticulously crafted by Thales Alenia Space—a prominent collaboration between Thales (holding a 67% stake) and Leonardo (33%)—and is now managed in orbit by Telespazio, a joint enterprise equally split between Leonardo and Thales (both at 33%). The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, using a powerful SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, showcasing international cooperation and advanced aerospace technology at its best.
Just over an hour after liftoff, the satellite’s signals were received and initially controlled by Telespazio’s Fucino Space Center in Abruzzo, Italy, marking a crucial step in its deployment process. The entire Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), which includes initial operations and system checks, is scheduled to last around nine days, ensuring the satellite is fully operational.
Massimo Claudio Comparini, the Managing Director of Leonardo’s Space Division, emphasized the importance of this launch, stating, “Every COSMO-SkyMed launch is a major achievement for Italy’s national space infrastructure and its industrial ecosystem. The program, driven to fulfill the needs of both the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defense, embodies Italy’s technological and industrial prowess, with Leonardo leading alongside its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio, and e-GEOS. Earth observation data obtained through this system is a vital resource for national security, environmental sustainability, and quick-response operations. This ongoing commitment not only bolsters Italy’s leadership in space but also creates significant value for the international community.”
Giampiero Di Paolo, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italy and Senior Vice President of Earth Observation, Exploration, and Navigation, added his pride in this achievement. “As the coordinator of the entire COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation program, we are extremely proud of this successful launch, which highlights our expertise in radar technology and the dedication of our teams. Once all four satellites are operational, this upgraded system will provide substantial improvements in image quality and coverage. The deployment of this second-generation constellation marks a big step forward in space-based earth observation, reaffirming Thales Alenia Space’s position as a global leader in this field.”
The COSMO-SkyMed system, which stands for the Constellation of Satellites for the Mediterranean Basin Observation, is a dual-use Earth observation network—meaning it serves both civil and defense purposes—owned jointly by the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defense. Italian industry, led by Leonardo and the joint ventures with Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio, and e-GEOS, has played a vital role in developing this sophisticated constellation, along with numerous small and medium-sized enterprises contributing their specialized skills.
This third satellite, like its predecessors, was built by Thales Alenia Space and is vital for maintaining the operational radar (Synthetic-Aperture Radar, or SAR) services of the system. It enhances the constellation’s overall performance, increasing image resolution, area coverage, and reliability. The second-generation system, now in development phase with four satellites—two of which are already operational—gradually replaces the earlier first-generation setup, which consisted of four satellites as well. The new system adopts cutting-edge technology and engineering solutions, vastly improving the range of applications it supports, from environmental monitoring and disaster response to security, maritime surveillance, agriculture, and resource management.
Since its first launch in 2007, COSMO-SkyMed has amassed an archive of approximately 4.3 million images, providing invaluable data for various critical sectors. As part of the European Copernicus program, it plays an essential role in rapid mapping during emergencies, helping European authorities quickly assess areas affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises within hours—saving lives and guiding effective responses.
Italian industry’s leadership continues through its integral roles: Thales Alenia Space handles everything from satellite development and production to the entire system integration; Telespazio is responsible for designing and developing the ground segment and providing operational services, including managing the satellite from the Fucino Space Centre, Italy’s premier space operations hub; and Leonardo supplies crucial attitude control and power management components.
Moreover, data generated by COSMO-SkyMed are marketed globally via e-GEOS—a joint company of the Italian Space Agency (owning 20%) and Telespazio (80%)—which retains exclusive rights for commercializing the constellation’s data. e-GEOS also transforms this data into practical applications, supporting areas such as disaster management, security, infrastructure health monitoring, maritime traffic oversight, precision agriculture, and natural resource conservation.
All these efforts highlight Italy’s strategic investment in space and its commitment to advancing Earth observation technology. But here’s where it gets controversial—how much more should nations invest in space technology, given the debates about its costs versus societal benefits? Do you believe investments like COSMO-SkyMed truly deliver enough value in terms of environmental and humanitarian impact? Or are they primarily tools for national security and strategic dominance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
