COSMO-SkyMed (COnstellation of small Satellites for the Mediterranean basin Observation) is an Earth observation satellite system funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and Ministry of Defence and conducted by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), intended for both military and civilian use.[1]
The space segment of the system will include four medium-sized satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors with global coverage of the planet.[2] Observations of an area of interest will be repeated several times a day in all-weather conditions. The imagery will be applied to defense and security assurance in Italy and other countries, seismic hazard analysis, environmental disaster monitoring, and agricultural mapping.[3]
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The four satellites are planned for sun-synchronous polar orbits, phased at 90° and at an altitude of 619 km with an orbit of 97 minutes. The expected operating life of each satellite is estimate in 5 years.
The satellites main components are:
United Launch Alliance is providing launch services for the first three satellites. Satellite processing for the first two satellites was handled by the Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary of SPACEHAB.[3] The first satellite was launched at 22:34 GMT, on 8 June 2007, aboard a Delta II 7420-10 rocket from Vandenberg AFB.[4] An identical rocket launched COSMO-2 at 02:31:42 GMT on 9 December 2007,[5] the launch having been delayed from 6 December due to bad weather, and problems with the rocket's cork insulation. COSMO-3 launched at 02:38 GMT on 25 October 2008, also aboard a Delta II 7420-10. A Delta II flying in the 7420-10 configuration will also be used to launch COSMO-4.[6] Launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on November 5, 2010 at 1920L.
The ground segment of the system is composed by:
The Argentinian and the France government are involved respectively in the civil and in the military segment of the system.
The COSMO-SkyMed satellites are lesser-known deliverers of satellite flares, sometimes approaching magnitude -2. Although overshadowed by the Iridium satellites, the flares are often long-lasting, with the satellites traversing much of the sky at brighter-than-average magnitudes.