37216 - COSMO-SKYMED 4

SKYMED 4, also known as COSMO 4 (Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean Basis Observation), is an Italian radar imaging satellite. The craft was launched on a Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 02:20 UT on 2010 November 6. The initial orbital parameters were period = 97.16 minutes, apogee = 623.5 km, perigee = 621.5 km, inclination = 97.9 degrees on 2011 Apr 1 at 03:16:12 UTC. This was the last commercial mission for the Delta 2 rocket.

SKYMED 4 is part of Italy's Earth Observing System, a constellation of radar satellites built for civil and military reconnaissance. It joined three other spacecraft deployed previously by Delta 2 rockets in 2007 and 2008. Each satellite is equipped with an X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument for environmental monitoring, resource management and territorial security surveillance. They are capable of seeing the ground in daylight or darkness, under clear or cloudy skies. SKYMED 4 has the capability to produce 450 images/day.

The constellation of four satellites enables any specific region of the planet to be observed by COSMO-SkyMed every six hours, which allows authorities to assess and begin responding when a crisis strikes. The satellites have proved themselves beneficial to humanitarian organizations responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. SKYMED 4 has a design life of five years.

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2010-11-06
Launch Vehicle: Delta II
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States