SpaceX Falcon 9 Ready for Launch: COSMO-SkyMed Satellite Mission from Vandenberg Set for December 27, 2025

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket stands vertical on the launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, poised for a critical mission to deploy an advanced Earth observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The upcoming launch, targeted for today at 6:09 p.m. PT (9:09 p.m. ET), will carry the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG-3) satellite, enhancing Italy's capabilities in radar imaging for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and defense applications.

Mission Overview: Deploying Italy's Next-Gen Radar Satellite

The COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation, developed by the Italian Space Agency in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Defence, represents a significant upgrade over the first-generation system. The CSG-3 satellite features advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, capable of high-resolution imaging day or night and in all weather conditions.

This mission marks SpaceX's continued role as a reliable launch provider for international government payloads. The Falcon 9 will lift off from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg, a site ideally suited for polar orbits due to its coastal location.

According to SpaceX's official update shared on X (formerly Twitter) on December 27, 2025: "Falcon 9 is vertical at pad 4E in California ahead of today’s launch of the @ASI_Spazio COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation mission. Teams are keeping an eye on winds ahead of liftoff at 6:09 p.m. PT."

Live webcast coverage will be available on SpaceX's website and X platform, starting approximately 10 minutes before liftoff.

Launch Details and Weather Considerations

• Launch Window: Primary target at 6:09 p.m. PT on December 27, 2025 (with potential backups).
• Location: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
• Payload: COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation FM3 (CSG-3) satellite.
• Orbit: Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit (LEO).
• Booster Recovery: The first-stage booster is expected to return and land at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) on Vandenberg, continuing SpaceX's reusable rocket program.

Teams are monitoring wind conditions, a common factor for West Coast launches. This mission is described by multiple sources, including Spaceflight Now and local California news outlets, as potentially the final Falcon 9 launch of 2025 from Vandenberg, capping a record-breaking year for SpaceX with over 165 Falcon family launches.

Significance of the COSMO-SkyMed Constellation

The COSMO-SkyMed (Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation) system provides dual-use (civilian and military) radar data. The second-generation satellites offer improved resolution, faster revisit times, and enhanced data processing for applications like:

• Natural disaster management (floods, earthquakes, wildfires).
• Maritime surveillance and security.
• Agricultural and environmental monitoring.
• Defense and intelligence gathering.

With CSG-3, the constellation will further bolster Italy's independent space-based observation capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign systems.

SpaceX's Record Year and Reusability Milestone

2025 has been unprecedented for SpaceX, with the company achieving a new annual launch record. As of mid-December, SpaceX had conducted 165 Falcon 9 launches, surpassing previous years and demonstrating the reliability of the reusable Falcon family.

This mission underscores SpaceX's dominance in the commercial launch market, supporting diverse clients from governments to private enterprises.