SpaceX aims to launch Italy’s COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation radar satellite tonight at 6:09 p.m. from Vandenberg. The satellite, for the Italian Space Agency and Ministry of Defence, provides day‑and‑night, all‑weather radar imaging for environmental monitoring, disaster response and security. The Falcon 9 booster will be on its 21st flight and is scheduled to land at Landing Zone 4. Residents in nearby counties may hear sonic booms. A live webcast begins ~15 minutes before liftoff.
SpaceX To Launch Italy’s COSMO‑SkyMed Radar Satellite From Vandenberg Tonight — Falcon 9 Booster On 21st Flight
SpaceX set to launch Italian radar satellite from Vandenberg
SpaceX is targeting a Friday evening liftoff from California’s Central Coast to place Italy’s next-generation radar satellite into orbit.
Launch Details
The COSMO‑SkyMed Second Generation mission is scheduled to lift off at 6:09 p.m. local time from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. If weather or technical issues force a delay, a backup launch opportunity is available Saturday at the same time.
About the Satellite
The spacecraft is flying for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence and will be deployed into low‑Earth orbit. COSMO‑SkyMed satellites use synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imaging that can observe Earth day or night and see through cloud cover, supporting environmental monitoring, disaster response and national-security operations.
Booster Recovery And Local Impacts
This flight will use a Falcon 9 first-stage booster on its 21st mission. After stage separation, SpaceX plans to return and land the booster at Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg — a recovery that is sometimes visible from nearby communities.
Officials warn that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during ascent and landing. Whether they are audible will depend on weather conditions and the rocket’s flight profile.
How To Watch
A live webcast of the launch is expected to begin about 15 minutes before liftoff on SpaceX’s website and on the company’s X account.
Note: All times are local to Vandenberg Space Force Base. Launch dates and times are subject to change due to weather or technical considerations.
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