January 5, 2026
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Breaking News
  • [ January 4, 2026 ] SpaceX launches first Starlink deployment mission since problem strikes satellite Falcon 9
  • [ January 2, 2026 ] SpaceX opens 2026 with launch of Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite for Italy Falcon 9
  • [ December 27, 2025 ] Launch pad issue delays again Falcon 9 launch of Italian Earth observation satellite Falcon 9
  • [ December 26, 2025 ] Former ULA president and CEO Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin News
  • [ December 22, 2025 ] H3 rocket suffers upper stage anomaly, fails to correctly deploy navigation satellite H3

CHEOPS

Mission Reports

Soyuz launches Italian radar satellite, ESA exoplanet telescope

December 18, 2019 Stephen Clark

A package of five satellites, including an Italian radar reconnaissance craft and a European Space Agency exoplanet science probe, soared into orbit Wednesday from French Guiana aboard a Russian-made Soyuz rocket.

Mission Reports

Timeline of Soyuz launch with CSG 1 and CHEOPS

December 17, 2019 Stephen Clark

Follow the key events of the Soyuz rocket’s ascent into orbit from the Guiana Space Center with the first COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation, or CSG 1, radar observation satellite, the European Space Agency’s CHEOPS exoplanet telescope, and three CubeSats.

Mission Reports

Live coverage: Soyuz launches from French Guiana

December 17, 2019 Stephen Clark

Five European satellites, including a Italian radar surveillance craft and an ESA exoplanet probe, lifted off Wednesday at 0854 GMT (3:54 a.m. EST) from French Guiana aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. A launch attempt Tuesday was scrubbed due to a software concern with the launch vehicle.

Mission Reports

ESA satellite set for launch to measure sizes of exoplanets

December 15, 2019 Stephen Clark

A compact exoplanet observatory built in Europe to help astronomers determine the sizes of distant worlds around other stars is scheduled for launch Wednesday from French Guiana aboard a Soyuz rocket.

Ariane 5

Egyptian satellite, ESA science probe share plane ride to launch base

October 16, 2019 Stephen Clark

A European-built communications satellite, manufactured in secret for the Egyptian government, joined a European Space Agency exoplanet observatory aboard a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo plane for a trans-Atlantic flight Wednesday to begin final launch preparations in French Guiana.

News

Italian radar satellite, European exoplanet telescope to launch on Soyuz next year

April 7, 2017 Stephen Clark

The Italian government has decided to launch two next-generation radar reconnaissance satellites on Soyuz and Vega rockets from French Guiana, and a European Space Agency telescope to study the structures of planets around other stars will likely ride to orbit as a co-passenger on one of the missions.

News Headlines

  • SpaceX launches first Starlink deployment mission since problem strikes satellite
    January 4, 2026
  • SpaceX opens 2026 with launch of Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite for Italy
    January 2, 2026
  • Launch pad issue delays again Falcon 9 launch of Italian Earth observation satellite
    December 27, 2025
  • Former ULA president and CEO Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin
    December 26, 2025
  • H3 rocket suffers upper stage anomaly, fails to correctly deploy navigation satellite
    December 22, 2025
  • Tory Bruno steps down as President, CEO of ULA
    December 22, 2025
  • Astronauts, launch teams practice Artemis 2 countdown
    December 21, 2025
  • Space Development Agency awards roughly $3.5 billion to 4 companies for 72 missile tracking and warning satellites
    December 20, 2025
  • Rocket Lab launches 4 novel DiskSat satellites for U.S. Space Force, NASA
    December 18, 2025
  • Senate confirms Jared Isaacman as 15th NASA Administrator
    December 18, 2025
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