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
Shah Capital pushes for Novavax sale, warns of proxy fight - 2Polish law aimed at lowering petrol prices takes effect
- 3How is 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' connected to 'Game of Thrones'?
- 4'All Her Fault' ending explained: The shocking conclusion to the psychological thriller inspired by true events
- 5FDA official discusses potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and pediatric deaths
- The Most Moving TED Talks You Want to Watch
- Newly identified species of Tanzanian tree toad leapfrog the tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets
- Genome study reveals milestone in history of cat domestication
- 6 Top of the line Lodgings All over The Planet, Which One Do You Concur With
- South America's Memorable Destinations: A Movement Guide
- Washington resident contracts bird flu, first human case in U.S. since February
- Instructions to Shield Your Gold Speculation from Possible Dangers: Fundamental Protections
- Finding Your Motivation: Moves toward a Satisfying Life
- The cheap health insurance promoted by Trump officials has this catch
