Italy’s IRIDE space programme adds eight satellites

Eight satellites have been added to Italy’s IRIDE Earth observation programme, following launch on board a Falcon-9 rocket. The successful launch brings the total number of satellites in orbit for the Italian programme to 24.

The eight new satellites are part of IRIDE’s Eaglet II constellation. Each one carries a multispectral sensor, which captures images of Earth’s surface, as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to support vessel traffic services. The data will be used to provide core services for Italian public authorities, from monitoring Italy’s coastal areas, to land use and cover, and providing maps during emergency situations.

The launch on board SpaceX’s Transporter-16 took place at 13:02 CEST (04:02 local time) on Monday, 30 March, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellites will join the first batch of Eaglet II satellites, which were placed in orbit in November 2025.

Read full story: Eight more satellites added to IRIDE space programme