Cosmo-SkyMed – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX opens 2026 with launch of Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite for Italy

January 2, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The spacecraft was originally slated to launch nearly a week prior, but SpaceX ran into ground systems issues. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 6:09 p.m. PST (9:09 p.m. EST / 0209 UTC).

Launch pad issue delays again Falcon 9 launch of Italian Earth observation satellite

December 27, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

For the second night running SpaceX scrubbed the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation satellite for Italy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.