OHB has reached another major milestone in the Italian Earth observation program IRIDE: Eight new Eaglet II satellites, developed, integrated, tested, and operated by OHB Italia, a subsidiary of the space and technology group OHB SE, were successfully launched into orbit aboard the SpaceX Transporter-16 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base (California).
Following separation from the rocket, the OHB Italia control center in Rome successfully received signals from the satellites and initiated in-orbit commissioning. The Eaglet-II constellation now comprises 16 satellites and forms a key component of IRIDE—a major national project funded by the Italian government and coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
Weighing approximately 25 kilograms, these minisatellites combine optical imaging with AIS signal reception. As a result, they enable fast and reliable Earth observation services for environmental monitoring, infrastructure protection, and national security.
Roberto Aceti, Managing Director of OHB Italia, stated: “This new launch is another significant step toward the full deployment of the Eaglet II constellation and confirms the strength of OHB Italia’s industrial contribution to Italy’s flagship national program, IRIDE. The continuity of the launches, adherence to the schedule, and the performance of the satellites demonstrate the technological maturity achieved as well as our ability to translate a strategic vision into an operational system. This ambitious goal was only possible thanks to the outstanding professionalism of our entire network of partners and suppliers. IRIDE is not just a space mission, but a key infrastructure for Italy’s security, sustainability, and competitiveness—both today and in the long term.”
The full deployment of the Eaglet II constellation is scheduled for 2026.
The IRIDE program is funded with more than one billion euros from the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) as well as from national funds. In addition to applications for the Italian public administration, IRIDE is designed to support civil protection agencies and other authorities in managing natural hazards such as landslides and wildfires, coastal protection, and the monitoring of critical infrastructure, air quality, and weather. It will also provide data to enable innovation and commercial applications for startups, SMEs, and industrial companies.
