\tApplications<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t31\/03\/2026
\n\t\t\t\t414 views
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t19 likes<\/p>\n
Eight satellites have been added to Italy\u2019s IRIDE Earth observation programme, following launch on board a Falcon-9 rocket. The successful launch brings the total number of satellites in orbit for the Italian programme to 24.<\/p>\n
The eight new satellites are part of IRIDE<\/a>\u2019s Eaglet II constellation. Each one carries a multispectral sensor, which captures images of Earth\u2019s surface, as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to support vessel traffic services. The data will be used to provide core services for Italian public authorities<\/a>, from monitoring Italy\u2019s coastal areas, to land use and cover, and providing maps during emergency situations.<\/p>\n The launch on board SpaceX\u2019s Transporter-16 took place at 13:02 CEST (04:02 local time) on Monday 30 March, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellites join the first batch of Eaglet II satellites<\/a>, which were placed in orbit in November 2025.<\/p>\n \t\t\tItaly\u2019s IRIDE Eaglet II satellites with multispectral sensors \t\tThe Eaglet II constellation<\/p>\n The Eaglet II constellation is one of six constellations that will make up the IRIDE satellite system. It now has a total of 16 satellites in orbit. A further eight satellites will be added to the Eaglet II constellation later this year. Eaglet II satellites detect radiation reflected off Earth\u2019s surfaces in the visible light spectrum.<\/p>\n OHB Italia is responsible for the design, testing and operation of the new Eaglet II satellites. The signal from all satellites was confirmed just a few hours after launch \u2013 a key measure of a mission\u2019s successful launch \u2013 at OHB\u2019s Mission Control Centre in Rome. The process of commissioning \u2013 switching on and calibrating the satellites\u2019 instruments in orbit \u2013 will now begin.<\/p>\n The other IRIDE constellation already in orbit is Hawk for Earth Observation (HEO), which consists of eight satellites.<\/p>\n Coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA) with support from the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the IRIDE programme<\/a> is an ambitious space initiative funded by Italy\u2019s National Recovery and Resilience Plan<\/a> (PNRR), which is designed to modernise and revitalise Italy\u2019s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n \t\t\tSimonetta Cheli welcomes the launch of new IRIDE satellites Simonetta Cheli, Director of ESA\u2019s Earth Observation Programmes, said, \u201cThis launch doubles the dimension of the Eaglet II constellation, adding eight satellites to the eight already launched last November, which achieved the goal set by Italy\u2019s National Recovery and Resilience Plan seven months ahead of schedule. This underlines the strength of the collaboration between ESA, ASI, the Italian government and the entire national space industry, on this highly complex project. Reaching this new milestone was possible thanks to the contribution of all the teams involved. I would like to particularly congratulate OHB Italia, Telespazio, Optec, Aresys, and all the companies involved in the creation of the constellation, as well as, of course, my team managing its implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n \tWhat is the IRIDE programme?<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tItaly\u2019s IRIDE Eaglet II constellation in the cleanroom<\/a><\/p>\n The IRIDE Earth observation system is an initiative by the Italian government to deliver comprehensive satellite data to support the monitoring of a range of phenomena \u2013 including ground motion, land cover, water resources, coastal areas and more. As well as the satellite system, IRIDE also provides ground infrastructure to process geospatial data.<\/p>\n The satellite images and information are used in applications and services<\/a> to support public authorities in making decisions based on data from space, providing information for a wide range of environmental, emergency and security services for Italy. The programme will also provide analytical data for the development of commercial applications by startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and industry sectors.<\/p>\n While the name IRIDE stands for \u2018International Report for an Innovative Defence of Earth\u2019, the word \u2018iride\u2019 also means \u2018iris\u2019 in Italian, reflecting the observational nature of this mission, which carries advanced optical instruments, as well as radar sensors.<\/p>\n \tItaly\u2019s eyes on Earth<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tItaly\u2019s IRIDE Eaglet II satellites prepare for launch in the cleanroom<\/a><\/p>\n Each satellite in the Eaglet II constellation carries a multispectral, high-resolution optical instrument, as well as an AIS instrument. OHB Italia is the prime contractor for the satellite.<\/p>\n They will orbit at an altitude between 467 km and 625 km above Earth\u2019s surface and provide images with ground resolution of about 2 m.<\/p>\n The mission life for the Eaglet II constellation is about three years and, when complete, it will consist of 24 satellites. Each satellite is the size of a domestic microwave oven and weighs about 25 kg.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n