Final Eaglet II batch launched, completing 24-satellite IRIDE constellation

The last eight Eaglet II satellites for Italy's IRIDE Earth observation programme were launched on 1 October 2026 at 20:32 CEST. They flew on a Falcon 9 as part of SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The launch brings the Eaglet II constellation to 24 satellites and the total IRIDE fleet in orbit to 39.

The Eaglet II satellites carry multispectral sensors and an Automatic Identification System for maritime monitoring. OHB Italia built and tested them, and they will pass to the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for operations once commissioned. IRIDE is funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan and developed by ESA for ASI. It supports monitoring of ground motion, land cover, water resources, fires, coasts, air quality and infrastructure. Further launches are planned in the coming months.

Why it matters: A national multispectral constellation delivered within a year shows how a publicly funded programme can combine satellites, ground systems and applications for public services. Other governments, including African ones, building national Earth observation capacity can look to it as a model.