Eight 25 kg satellites built by OHB Italia rode SpaceX’s Transporter-18 from Vandenberg on 1 October, completing the 24-satellite Eaglet II constellation in under a year. With 15 other satellites, Italy’s IRIDE Earth-observation programme, developed by ESA with ASI support and funded by the recovery plan, now has 39 in orbit, carrying cameras and ship-tracking AIS receivers. Our take: Italy now has its own national eye on floods, fires and coastlines.
8satellites launched
24Eaglet II in orbit
39IRIDE satellites total