SpaceX launches Italian Earth-observing satellite to orbit on the 1st mission of 2026 (video)

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Liftoff of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission occurred on schedule at 9:09 p.m. ET tonight (Jan. 2).

SpaceX launched the first mission of 2026 tonight (Jan. 2).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence from California on Jan. 2, 2026.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence from California on Jan. 2, 2026. (Image credit: SpaceX)

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.

The spacecraft will study Earth using synthetic aperture radar, gathering data at all times of day and in all weather conditions from an altitude of 385 miles (620 kilometers).

COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation is a small network designed to "monitor 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," according to a European Space Agency explainer.

Among those applications are "risk management, cartography, forest & environment protection, natural resources exploration, land management, defense and security, maritime surveillance, food & agriculture management," the explainer adds.

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

a boxy golden satellite deploys into earth orbit from a rocket's upper stage

The upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket deploys a COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite into low Earth orbit for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence on Jan. 2, 2026. (Image credit: SpaceX)

Tonight's liftoff was the first of 2026 not just for SpaceX but for the global launch community.

It's no surprise that SpaceX is breaking in the year. Elon Musk's company launched a whopping 165 orbital missions in 2025 — far more than any other entity, either commercial or governmental. That was also a record for SpaceX, which the company may aim to break again this year.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 9:25 p.m. ET on Jan. 2 with news of successful launch, rocket landing and satellite deployment.

Mike Wall
Mike Wall
Senior Space Writer

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.

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    1. Comment by Fly4Vino.

      It's useful to consider that 25+ years ago Space X had yet to be formed and Boeing had dominated large aircraft design and production in the US for more than a decade.

      Boeing was awarded an urgent contract for a new USAF Tanker aircraft.

      Today

      Space X dominates military and civilian space

      Boeing has yet to deliver a single fully functional, "urgently needed" , tanker to the USAF .

      This is not just a serious problem for supporting our long range strike capabilities but also our ability to support our troops on the ground and aircraft supporting them.

      Those who attack Space X attack

      a) the free enterprise system that has made major contributions to our economy,

      b) Weaken our defense, leadership in technology plus damage our economy .

      Let's not stay stuck on stupid. Hopefully our business schools and Governmental Studies programs will be studying what allows Space X to deliver so much value to the American taxpayers and around the world.

      • Comment by Conservatl.

        I know there are people on here now that hate Musk because he got involved with politics. I am not one of them, I enjoy reading about SpaceX. His first falcon rockets were news, reusing the first or lift stage was unheard of. Then salvaging and reusing fairings had never been done, it is all business as usual now. I hope starship has a breakout year !