SpaceX Launches Italian Satellite on 2026's First Mission

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SpaceX Launches First Mission of 2026

SpaceX successfully launched its first mission of 2026 tonight, marking a significant milestone for the company and the global space community. The mission took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m. local California time; 0209 GMT on January 3). The rocket carried an Italian Earth-observing satellite into orbit, showcasing the continued collaboration between international space agencies and private aerospace companies.

The Falcon 9’s first stage landed back at Vandenberg as planned approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff. This was the 21st flight for this particular booster, highlighting the reusability and efficiency that have become hallmarks of SpaceX's operations.

About 4.5 minutes later, the Falcon 9’s second stage deployed the payload — a COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite — into low Earth orbit for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence. This satellite is designed to study Earth using synthetic aperture radar, allowing it to gather data at all times of day and in all weather conditions from an altitude of 385 miles (620 kilometers).

According to a European Agency explainer, the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation is a small network aimed at "monitoring the Earth for the sake of emergency prevention, strategy, scientific and commercial purposes, providing data on a global scale to support a variety of applications." These applications include risk management, cartography, forest and environment protection, natural resources exploration, land management, defense and security, maritime surveillance, food and agriculture management, and more.

Three COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellites have now been launched. The first one flew in December 2019 atop a Soyuz rocket, and the second lifted off in January 2022 on a Falcon 9.

Tonight’s liftoff was not only the first of 2026 for SpaceX but also for the global launch community. It comes as no surprise that SpaceX is breaking in the year, given the company’s impressive performance in 2025. Elon Musk’s company launched a staggering 165 orbital missions in 2025—far more than any other entity, either commercial or governmental. That was also a record for SpaceX, which may aim to break again this year.

This mission underscores the growing role of private aerospace companies in advancing global space exploration and Earth observation capabilities. With each successful launch, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in space travel and satellite deployment.

As the world watches the progress of these missions, the implications for scientific research, environmental monitoring, and national security are becoming increasingly clear. The collaboration between nations and private enterprises is paving the way for a future where space-based technologies play a central role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges on Earth.