COSMO-SKYMED second generation: Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio sign contract to complete the program

Rome  08 November 2016

Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio announced today that it has signed an amendment to the original contract for the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) program with Italian Space Agency. Worth 77 million euros, this contract is vital, since it covers the remaining operations to complete the program. Thales Alenia Space Italy will receive 66 million euros of the total, while Telespazio will receive 11 million euros.

Thales Alenia Space Italy is responsible for the overall COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation program, including construction of the two satellites, while Telespazio is responsible for designing and developing the ground segment and providing the integrated logistics and operations services.

Leonardo also contributes to the program by supplying attitude sensors and state of the art equipment that will process and distribute electric power throughout the satellites.

This contract kicks off phase D2/E1 of the program, which entails all operations needed to complete construction of the second satellite (FM-2), the launch of both satellites and the verification and operational validation of the entire system with the two satellites in orbit. The launch of the first satellite is planned in 2018, with the second following a year later.

These state-of-the-art satellites feature the last technologies and engineering solutions. The overall system, including the ground segment, will set the performance standard for space-based radar observation systems, in terms of precision, image quality and flexible user services. It is designed as a “dual use" (civil/military) system, to meet the requirements of scientific, commercial and government customers.

Ever since the launch of the first satellite in 2007, the COSMO-SkyMed program has been an exceptional tool for observing our planet. With its innovative operational capabilities, it contributes to the continuous monitoring of the Earth's surface, to safety-related needs and to the management of natural events, as shown recently by the damage assessment activities and support to rescue operations following the earthquakes that hit central Italy.

The development of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation system will guarantee a quantum leap in terms of technology, performance and service life, consequently, strengthening Italian leadership in the Earth Observation sector on a global level. Moreover, strategic international partnerships, such as those already established with France and Poland regarding the COSMO-SkyMed reception and processing of data and data products, will also be extended.

COSMO-SkyMed, financed by the Italian space agency, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Education, University and Research, is the first dual-use Earth observation system. Its four satellites monitor the entire Earth from space, day and night, under any weather conditions, using high-resolution X-band radars. The program was developed in conjunction with both large aerospace corporations and a number of innovative small businesses. Thales Alenia Space Italy is the prime contractor, responsible for the entire system, including both space and ground segments. Telespazio developed the ground segment and hosts the Constellation Control Center at the Fucino Space Center

Other News & Stories

24.06.2025
ESA awards Telespazio UK the Ground Segment contract for TRUTHS Earth Watch Mission

Telespazio UK has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as the Prime Contractor for the Ground Segment of the Earth Watch TRUTHS (Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial- and Helio-Studies) mission, covering activities from Phase B2 to E1.

05.06.2025
Latin American Space Agencies Visit the Fucino Space Centre

Today Telespazio’s Fucino Space Centre hosted representatives from the space agencies of the IILA (Italo-Latin American Institute) member countries, as part of the IV Meeting of Space Agencies, organized in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

04.06.2025
Launch of the Honors Program at the Fucino Space Centre: training young talent for the space sector

The Honors Program of the Space Camp – Dai Banchi alle stelle project officially kicked off today at Telespazio’s Fucino Space Centre. The initiative, supported by the Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale – Impresa Sociale, is promoted by Italiacamp and developed in collaboration with Telespazio, Innovalley, and three high schools in the Abruzzo region: “Alessandro Volta” (Pescara), “Luigi Savoia” (Chieti), and “Ettore Majorana” (Avezzano), with scientific input from the British Interplanetary Society.

27.05.2025
European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and the Italian Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, visit Telespazio's Fucino Space Centre

The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and the Italian Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, visited yesterday the Fucino Space Centre of Telespazio.

24.06.2025
ESA awards Telespazio UK the Ground Segment contract for TRUTHS Earth Watch Mission

Telespazio UK has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as the Prime Contractor for the Ground Segment of the Earth Watch TRUTHS (Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial- and Helio-Studies) mission, covering activities from Phase B2 to E1.

05.06.2025
Latin American Space Agencies Visit the Fucino Space Centre

Today Telespazio’s Fucino Space Centre hosted representatives from the space agencies of the IILA (Italo-Latin American Institute) member countries, as part of the IV Meeting of Space Agencies, organized in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

04.06.2025
Launch of the Honors Program at the Fucino Space Centre: training young talent for the space sector

The Honors Program of the Space Camp – Dai Banchi alle stelle project officially kicked off today at Telespazio’s Fucino Space Centre. The initiative, supported by the Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale – Impresa Sociale, is promoted by Italiacamp and developed in collaboration with Telespazio, Innovalley, and three high schools in the Abruzzo region: “Alessandro Volta” (Pescara), “Luigi Savoia” (Chieti), and “Ettore Majorana” (Avezzano), with scientific input from the British Interplanetary Society.

27.05.2025
European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and the Italian Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, visit Telespazio's Fucino Space Centre

The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and the Italian Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, visited yesterday the Fucino Space Centre of Telespazio.