SpaceX is scheduled to launch the first orbital mission of 2026 tonight, sending an advanced Italian Earth-observation satellite into orbit. The launch marks the beginning of what is expected to be another busy year for the commercial spaceflight company.
A Falcon 9 rocket is slated to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 9:09 p.m. Eastern Time. This mission will deploy the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite, a key asset for the Italian Space Agency and Ministry of Defence.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX will conduct the first global orbital launch of 2026 tonight, January 2nd.
- A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from California at 9:09 p.m. EST.
- The payload is an Italian COSMO-SkyMed satellite designed for Earth observation.
- The satellite uses advanced radar to monitor the Earth's surface regardless of weather or time of day.
- This launch follows a record-breaking year for SpaceX, which completed 165 missions in 2025.
Launch Details and How to Watch
The mission is set to begin from the West Coast, with the Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The targeted launch time is 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m. local California time).
For those interested in watching the event live, SpaceX will provide a webcast. Coverage is expected to begin approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled liftoff and will be available on the company's official website and its account on the social media platform X.
Setting the Pace for the New Year
It is not surprising that SpaceX is responsible for the year's inaugural launch. The company, led by Elon Musk, has consistently increased its launch cadence, establishing itself as the most active launch provider globally. In 2025 alone, SpaceX conducted a record 165 orbital missions, far surpassing any other commercial or government entity. Tonight's launch signals the company's intent to maintain this high operational tempo in 2026.
The Mission's Payload: An Eye on Earth
The primary payload for this flight is a COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite. This sophisticated spacecraft was developed for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence to monitor our planet from low Earth orbit.
The satellite will operate from an altitude of approximately 385 miles (620 kilometers), where it will join a constellation of similar spacecraft. Its main instrument is a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a powerful technology that offers distinct advantages over traditional optical imaging.
What is Synthetic Aperture Radar?
Unlike cameras that rely on visible light, SAR actively sends out radio waves and measures the signals that bounce back. This process allows it to create detailed, high-resolution images of the Earth's surface under any conditions.
- All-Weather Capability: SAR can see through clouds, fog, smoke, and rain, which often obscure optical satellites.
- Day and Night Operation: Since it provides its own illumination, SAR can gather data 24 hours a day, unaffected by darkness.
A Constellation for Global Monitoring
The COSMO-SkyMed program is a dual-use system, meaning its data serves both civilian and military purposes. The European Space Agency notes that the network is designed to support a wide array of applications, including risk management, cartography, environmental protection, natural resource exploration, and maritime surveillance.
Broad Applications for a Changing Planet
The data collected by the COSMO-SkyMed constellation has far-reaching implications. Information gathered by the satellites is used by scientists, governments, and commercial entities for a variety of critical functions.
According to the European Space Agency, key applications include:
- Emergency Prevention: Monitoring geological instability for early warnings of landslides or volcanic activity.
- Resource Management: Tracking deforestation, managing water resources, and supporting sustainable agriculture.
- Defense and Security: Providing surveillance for national security and monitoring maritime traffic.
This satellite will be the latest addition to the second-generation network. Previous satellites in this series were launched in December 2019 aboard a Soyuz rocket and in January 2022 on another SpaceX Falcon 9.
"The system is 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," states an explainer from the European Space Agency.
With this launch, SpaceX not only continues its own ambitious schedule but also contributes to a critical international program focused on better understanding and protecting our planet. The successful deployment of this satellite will enhance Italy's sovereign Earth-observation capabilities and provide valuable data to the global community.