Italy’s IRIDE programme prepares Eaglet II satellites

The first eight Eaglet II satellites for the IRIDE programme are ready to be transported to the launch site in California, US. They will be launched by SpaceX. The IRIDE constellation of satellites are tailored to provide information for a wide range of environmental, emergency and security services for Italy.

IRIDE is an ambitious Italian space programme, initiated by the Italian Government and developed by ESA with funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Coordinated by ESA with support from the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the IRIDE programme involves the deployment of six satellite constellations, which together can potentially include more than 60 satellites.