Ministero della Difesa Test

After being postponed several times due to adverse weather conditions, the second satellite of COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation (CSG) was finally launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Cosmo-SkyMed is promoted by Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) (Italian Space Agency) with the contribution of the Ministry of University and Research and Defence Ministry. The take-off took place at 00.11 (GMT) using a Falcon 9 rocket by US SpaceX Company.

“The COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation is a vital resource for the Defence thanks to its all-weather earth observation capacity”, Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini said. “At the strategic level- he added- it will allow the Defence to have constantly updated information on potential risk factors and implement a timely assessment of the operational situation to support the decision-making process. This programme confirms the leadership of our national space industry in the field of high-technology system development, in particular radars and very high-resolution sensors. This is the product of the strong synergy between academia and industry, supported by the high level of competence of our civilian and military technicians, as well as the fruitful osmosis of knowledge and expertise provided by the Defence and ASI (Italian Space Agency). We must maintain and enhance this heritage over the years, to protect our national technological sovereignty. Moreover, the COSMO-SkyMed programme is an important opportunity for further future international cooperation”.

A new important result for Italy, which, thanks to this launch, resumes a prominent position in the sector of Earth Observation. With the second satellite of the constellation – the sixth presently in orbit- the efficiency and general capacity of the entire COSMO-SkyMed constellation will be enhanced, in line with the objectives set by ASI and the Ministry of Defence that, as the main contractors, promoted, funded and managed the entire development process.

COSMO-SkyMed is the first dual-use satellite constellation. It has been monitoring the earth and environment to provide security and risk-management for over 15 years. Data collected by COSMO-SkyMed radar satellites provide useful information both to support the every-day life of every single citizen and to safeguard and protect the earth. The constellation allows assessing the impact of climate change and monitoring men’s exploitation of natural resources. For example, it detects over-exploitation of soil and farmland, measures urbanization, illegal dumping and water supply and distribution management. Radar data collected by COSMO-SkyMed allow optimizing soil classification and monitoring crops during the growth cycle in order to improve yield, and observing monuments, historical buildings and archeological areas to study how they change over time.

The high accuracy and space and time resolution of COSMO-SkyMed imaging are a powerful tool to control seismic movements and observe strategic infrastructures such as dams, bridges and buildings. Data provided by the constellation are also a fundamental resource to protect the marine environment and its security.

The Italian industry plays a protagonist role in the Cosmo-SkyMed programme with Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, as well as a significant number of Small and Medium Enterprises. Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67%, Leonardo 33%) is the main contractor, responsible for the whole system, while Telespazio (Leonardo 67%, Thales 33%) has set up the Land segment and hosts the constellation Command and Control Centre at the Fucino Space Centre. Moreover, Leonardo contributes to the programme by providing the stellar attitude sensors to orient the satellites, photovoltaic panels and electronic units used for electric power management. Data generated by Cosmo-SkyMed satellites are commercialized at world level by e-Geos (Telespazio 80%, ASI 20%).