SpaceX kicked off the new year with a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying Italy’s 1,700-kg Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) Earth observation satellite.

The satellite, with both civilian and military applications, is the third of four in its series and will operate in a 620 km Sun-synchronous orbit using X-band synthetic aperture radar.

The launch, originally delayed twice due to pad issues, marked SpaceX’s first flight in 16 days—the longest gap in four years.

Falcon 9 booster B1081 completed its 21st flight with a successful landing at Landing Zone 4, the 554th Falcon booster recovery overall, Spaceflight Now has reported.

Italian officials hailed the mission as a prime example of public-private cooperation integrating innovation, defense, and strategic value.