When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
SpaceX launched the first mission of 2026 tonight (Jan. 2).
A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California tonight at 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m. local California time; 0209 GMT on Jan. 3), carrying an Italian Earth-observing satellite to orbit.
The rocket's first stage landed back at Vandenberg as planned about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It was the 21st flight for this particular booster, according to 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.
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.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Hezbollah uses ambulances, paramedic uniforms, as disguise for terrorist activity, IDF says - 2Lahav 433 head Asst.-Ch. Meni Benjamin named as police officer investigated for breach of trust
- 3Why are NASA's Artemis astronauts wearing orange? What are they bringing to space? What to know about the preparation for their moon mission.
- 4Keep It Cool: Uncovering Famous Fridge Brands for Each Home
- 5Step by step instructions to Protect Your Speculations with Cd Rates
- Russian authorities threaten WhatsApp with total ban
- I work with companies to confront addiction in the workplace. The hidden crisis is costing corporate America millions.
- This Week In Space podcast: Episode 192 — Space, 2026!
- FDA proposes use of sunscreen ingredient popular in other countries
- Interpreter Starts Sobbing as 11-Year-Old Testifies About Last Time He Saw His Mom Before She Was Killed in Missile Strike
- Interoceanic Train derails in southern Mexico, injuring at least 15 and halting traffic on line
- Dental, Vision, and Hearing Inclusion in Senior Protection.
- The Way to Monetary Health: Individual budget Change
- Dominating Your Cash: The Fundamental Manual for Overseeing Individual accounting records
