SpaceX Kicks Off 2026 With Successful Falcon 9 Launch From California

SpaceX marked the world’s first orbital launch of 2026 with a successful Falcon 9 mission late Thursday night. This mission is aligned to send an advanced Italian Earth-observation satellite into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m. local time) on Jan. 2, carrying the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence. Roughly 8.5 minutes after launch, the rocket’s first stage successfully landed back at Vandenberg, completing its 21st flight, underscoring SpaceX’s rapid reusability milestones.

About 4.5 minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s upper stage deployed the satellite into low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 385 miles (620 kilometers). The spacecraft uses synthetic aperture radar technology, which enables it to observe Earth day and night, regardless of weather conditions.

According to the European Space Agency, the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation is designed to support emergency response, environmental protection, scientific research, and commercial applications. Its data will aid in risk management, cartography, natural resource monitoring, defense and security, maritime surveillance, and agriculture management worldwide.

Thursday’s mission was the third COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite to reach orbit. Previous launches took place in December 2019 aboard a Soyuz rocket and in January 2022 on another Falcon 9.

The launch also highlighted SpaceX’s continued dominance in the global spaceflight sector. Led by Elon Musk, the company completed a record 165 orbital missions in 2025, more than any other commercial or government organization, and appears poised to challenge that record again in 2026.

Source: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 has launched