SpaceX Italian Earth-observation satellite

On February 1, 2022, SpaceX launched the Italian Earth-observation satellite, Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation FM2 (CSG-2) after scrubbing the scheduled lift-off for fourth consecutive time. It was launched from a station in Florida, US.

Key Facts

• Latest call-off was because of presence of a ship in “no-go zone” at Cape Canaveral before the launch.
• SpaceX scrubbed the launch of CSG-2 for fourth consecutive day.
• In earlier stances, the launch was called off due to bad weather.

About CSG-2

Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO)-CSG-2 is the follow-on mission of COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) satellite. This satellite will monitor the Earth and provide data risk management, forest & environment protection, cartography, natural resources exploration, defence & security, land management, food & agriculture management and maritime surveillance. The system comprises of two satellites, that have been designed to observe Earth using synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

Two Generations of the satellite

The satellite comprises of two generations. Each generation is a constellation of several satellites. First generation was having four identical satellites and were launched between 2007 and 2010. All of these satellites are still operational. The second generation contains two enhanced SAR satellites. First satellite was launched in 2019 while, the second is planned to be launched in 2022. CSG-2 will operate in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, at an altitude of 620 kms.

Who have developed the satellite?

SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) satellite has been developed by Italian Ministry of Defence and Italian Ministry of Education, Universities & Scientific Research.

Launch Vehicle

SpaceX will launch the satellites, onboard Falcon-9 rocket which is the reusable workhorse developed by SpaceX. Falcon-9 will deliver the satellites into orbit around Earth. Falcon 9 is the first stage booster to support this mission. Previously, it supported the launch of STP-2 and Arabsat-6A. Falcon-9 is the first orbital-class reusable rocket of world and has so far conducted 136 launches.

CSG-1

The CSG-1 was launched in December 2019, onboard Soyuz rocket from French Guiana. It is currently operating at an altitude of 620 kms, in a sun-synchronous polar orbit.