# COSMO-SkyMed 1

> Italian reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3648861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3648861)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COSMO-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmo-skymed-1

## Summary
COSMO-SkyMed 1 is an Italian reconnaissance satellite and the first unit in the COSMO-SkyMed constellation. Launched on June 8, 2007, it is designed to covertly collect data for intelligence and military applications using synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The satellite is operated by the Italian Space Agency and orbits the Earth in a Sun-synchronous path.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** June 8, 2007, at 02:34:00 UTC.
- **Operator:** Italian Space Agency.
- **Manufacturer:** Alenia Spazio.
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite and synthetic aperture radar satellite.
- **Mass:** 1,900 kilograms.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (specific designation D-324).
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **Spacecraft Bus:** PRIMA.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2007-023A.
- **Successor:** COSMO-SkyMed 2.

## FAQs
### Q: When was COSMO-SkyMed 1 launched?
A: COSMO-SkyMed 1 was launched on June 8, 2007, at 02:34:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates COSMO-SkyMed 1?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Alenia Spazio and is operated by the Italian Space Agency.

### Q: What is the primary function of COSMO-SkyMed 1?
A: It functions as a reconnaissance satellite that uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to covertly collect data for intelligence and military applications.

## Why It Matters
COSMO-SkyMed 1 represents a critical capability in modern aerospace engineering and national security, serving as the inaugural component of Italy's primary space-based radar reconnaissance system. As the first satellite in the COSMO-SkyMed constellation, it established the operational baseline for a sophisticated network designed to provide high-resolution imagery and data. Its significance lies in its utilization of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, which allows for the collection of data under various atmospheric conditions, supporting intelligence and military applications.

Built by Alenia Spazio on the PRIMA spacecraft bus, the 1,900-kilogram satellite demonstrates Italy's industrial capacity to produce complex, heavy-lift satellite systems. The successful deployment of this satellite via a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base marked a major milestone for the Italian Space Agency, enabling sovereign access to strategic geospatial intelligence. By maintaining a Sun-synchronous orbit, COSMO-SkyMed 1 ensures consistent lighting conditions for its observations, playing a vital role in the continuous monitoring required for defense and security sectors.

## Notable For
- Being the first satellite in the COSMO-SkyMed constellation.
- Utilizing a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payload for reconnaissance.
- Employing the PRIMA spacecraft bus, manufactured by Alenia Spazio.
- Launching aboard a Delta II rocket (D-324) from Vandenberg.
- Weighing 1,900 kilograms, signifying a substantial satellite mass for its class.

## Body

### Development and Specifications
COSMO-SkyMed 1 is an Italian reconnaissance satellite developed as part of a broader Earth observation constellation. The satellite was constructed by **Alenia Spazio** and utilizes the **PRIMA** spacecraft bus. It has a total mass of **1,900 kilograms** and is powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.

The satellite is classified as both a **reconnaissance satellite** and a **synthetic aperture radar satellite**. This dual classification highlights its primary mission: to covertly collect data for intelligence, military applications, and security purposes using advanced radar imaging technology.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **June 8, 2007**, precisely at **02:34:00** UTC. The launch was executed from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West** in the United States. The launch vehicle used was a **Delta II** rocket, carrying the specific flight designation **D-324**.

### Mission and Orbit
COSMO-SkyMed 1 operates in a **Sun-synchronous orbit**, a low Earth orbit that allows the satellite to pass over any given point of the planet's surface at the same local solar time. This orbit is optimal for consistent lighting and radar observation. The satellite is part of the **COSMO-SkyMed** program and was succeeded in orbit by **COSMO-SkyMed 2**.

### Identification and Administration
The satellite is administered by the **Italian Space Agency** (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana). Its international designator is **2007-023A** (COSPAR ID), and it is cataloged in the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) as **31598**. It also holds the NSSDC ID **2007-023A**.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "COSMO-SkyMed 1",
  "description": "Italian reconnaissance satellite and synthetic aperture radar satellite launched on June 8, 2007.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COSMO-1"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Reconnaissance Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/cosmo-skymed-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/alenia_prima.htm)