Successful launch of the Italian constellation’s second dual-use satellite
COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation, at the service of safety and durability
Rome, February 1, 2022 – The second satellite of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) constellation, manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), and operated in orbit by Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67 %) and Thales (33%), successfully launched today at 12:11 a.m. (Central European Time) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Fifteen minutes after separation from the launcher, the satellite was acquired and taken care of by the Telespazio Space Center in Fucino, Italy.
© SpaceX
The new generation of the COSMO-SkyMed constellation (COSMO-SkyMed – COnstellation of Satellites for the Mediterranean basin Observation) is funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), with funds allocated by the Italian Ministries of Defense and National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research. It will ensure the continuity of SAR (synthetic aperture) radar observation services currently provided by the four COSMO-SkyMed First Generation (CSK) satellites placed in orbit between 2007 and 2010, and still in service.
© Thales Alenia Space
“The success of this launch is a key milestone for the entire COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation. In its final configuration with 4 satellites, it will make it possible to achieve a leap forward in terms of technology and performance, and will thus strengthen Thales Alenia Space’s world leadership in the field of Earth observation radar infrastructures. Today, this second generation intends to become the performance standard for all space-based radar observation systems,” said Massimo Comparini, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director of Observation, Exploration and Navigation activities at Thales Alenia Space. “COSMO-SkyMed is an industrial success that demonstrates our ability to conduct dual-use programs, in other words to work in collaboration with various customers such as the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence. Constantly maintaining the COSMO-SkyMed constellation at the cutting edge of technology is essential to maintain the primacy of the entire industrial sector in a constantly evolving space market. This will further ensure operational continuity of information serving both security and sustainability. »
“At Leonardo and Telespazio, we are proud to have participated in the development and affirmation of the world’s most capable constellation of radar satellites,” said Luigi Pasquali, Coordinator of space activities at Leonardo and CEO of Telespazio. “Thanks to its highly innovative capabilities, the COSMO-SkyMed system has been contributing since 2007 to the continuous monitoring of the earth’s surface, meeting the needs related to security and the management of natural events with vital data for its users, civilians and military. »
© E-geos
From the entry into service of this second satellite, which is based on the very latest technologies and engineering solutions, CSG will gradually replace the first generation system (CSK), offering a performance gain and broadening the spectrum of applications. possible, pending the final configuration with four satellites. The whole system, with its ground segment, will become the new benchmark for Earth radar observation constellations in terms of accuracy, image quality and user flexibility.
Over the years, the COSMO-SkyMed system has delivered fundamental data to monitor the environment and territory, and to facilitate security and emergency management missions. As a participatory mission of the European Copernicus programme, these satellites have notably provided valuable images for the European Commission’s Emergency Management and Rapid Mapping Service, which provides satellite maps of disaster-stricken areas within hours. natural or humanitarian crises. For example, during the recent eruption of the La Palma volcano, the constellation provided lava flow data and maps. This service is managed by an international consortium led by e-GEOS (Telespazio 80% / ASI 20%). These products demonstrated one of the most innovative features of second-generation satellites: the ability to acquire data with two or even four different polarizations, which is particularly valuable in terms of responsiveness and operating efficiency. satellite resources. In the past, the same result was obtained only after several passes of the satellites above the area of interest.
© Thales Alenia Space
The role of industry
Within the framework of the COSMO-SkyMed programme, Italian industry plays a leading role around Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, as well as with many small and medium-sized enterprises.
Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the entire COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) program, including satellite design and development, as well as end-to-end system design, integration and commissioning. Telespazio is responsible for designing and developing CSG’s ground segment, and providing integrated logistics and operational services (ILS & OPS).
In Fucino, the Telespazio Space Center will manage the positioning of the satellite in its final orbit, from where the first telemetry data will be sent.
Leonardo contributes to the program by providing attitude control equipment, as well as sophisticated units for the processing and distribution of electrical energy on board.
COSMO-SkyMed data is marketed worldwide by e-GEOS which develops applications and provides operational services based on this data.
About THALES ALENIA SPACE
Combining more than forty years of experience and a unique diversity in terms of expertise, talents and cultures, the architects of Thales Alenia Space design and deliver innovative solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation and environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure. Institutions, governments and businesses rely on Thales Alenia Space to design, build and deliver satellite systems: to geolocate and connect people and objects anywhere in the world; observe our planet; optimize the use of the Earth’s resources and those of our Solar System. Thales Alenia Space is convinced that space brings a new dimension to humanity to build a better and sustainable life on Earth. Joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also forms the Space Alliance with Telespazio to offer a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space generated revenue of around €1.850 billion in 2020 and employs around 7,700 people in 10 countries, with 17 sites in Europe and an industrial base in the United States. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS
Sandrine Bielecki
Phone: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
[email protected]
Cinzia Marcanio
Phone: +39 (0)6 415 12685
[email protected]
Marija Kovac
Phone: +39 (0)6 415 129 91
[email protected]
About the Space Alliance
The Space Alliance, founded in 2005, is a strategic partnership between Leonardo and Thales, major groups in the space industry in France and Italy. It includes two joint ventures: Telespazio (67% Leonardo, 33% Thales) and Thales Alenia Space (67% Thales, 33% Leonardo). The complementary expertise of Thales Alenia Space in satellite systems and of Telespazio in associated services provides the Space Alliance with all the necessary advantages to respond positively and effectively to market needs, which today are extremely focused on applications relating to technologies spatial. In this scenario, Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space offer a unique offer extending from the field of telecommunications to that of navigation, passing through the scientific and observation fields, thus enabling the two companies to consolidate their positions on the space, defense and security.
About TELESPAZIO
Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), is one of the world leaders in satellite services: from the design and development of space systems to the management of launch campaigns, from satellite control to services observation systems, communications services integrated into satellite navigation and location services and scientific programs. Telespazio plays a major role in these markets thanks to the technological heritage of 60 years of activity, through the development of its own infrastructures and its participation in the main European space programs such as, in particular, Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and COSMO- SkyMed. In 2020, Telespazio achieved a turnover of EUR 540 million and has 3000 employees in nine countries.
TELESPAZIO – PRESS CONTACTS
Paolo Mazzetti Tel: +39 335 6515994 [email protected]
Alessandro Iacopini Tel: +39 331 6004894 [email protected]