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
Find the Advantages of Positive Nurturing: Supporting Cheerful and Sound Kids - 2Man who grabbed Ariana Grande at 'Wicked: For Good' premiere also rushed Katy Perry onstage this year. Who is he and why is he doing this?
- 3The Electric Toyota Hilux Is Finally here, But It's Not Cheap
- 4Amateur's Manual for Venture Strategies for Tenderfoots
- 5She loves to give experiences. He goes for sentimental gifts. They ask an expert: What is the perfect holiday present?
- Watch Chinese astronauts enjoy '1st ever space BBQ' from Tiangong's brand-new oven (video)
- Flu cases are rising with a strain that makes older people sicker
- A company is trying to unlock a key to aging, in a long-overlooked body part
- 6 Fledgling Cameras for 2024: Ideal for New Photographic artists
- Remarkable Spots for Hot Air Swelling All over The Planet
- Grass Care Administrations for a Wonderful, Sound Yard
- Why is Jerome Powell being investigated? Making sense of the DOJ's probe into the Federal Reserve chair.
- I watched more than 500 new movies this year. These are the 25 best ones.
- Home Security Frameworks with Shrewd Elements
