Italy’s OPTSAT-3000 satellite launched
The Italian Ministry of Defence’s OPTSAT-3000 satellite has been launched from the Kourou European spaceport in French Guiana today, 2 August.
The satellite was delivered by Leonardo through its joint venture, Telespazio. The satellite is being placed into orbit using the VEGA European launcher system, produced by AVIO.
OPTSAT-3000 consists of a satellite in a sun-synchronous low earth orbit and a ground segment for in-orbit control and for data acquisition and processing. Once operational, the satellite's optical sensors will provide high-resolution images of the globe, providing Italy with an autonomous national Earth observation capability.
The ground segment is located over three operation centres: the Joint Satellite Remote Survey Centre in Pratica di Mare, the SICRAL Joint Management and Control Centre in Vigna di Valle and the Fucino Space Centre of Telespazio.
OPTSAT-3000 is designed to work with the second generation COSMO-Skymed system of radar satellites, integrating optical and radar data to provide the Italian Ministry of Defence with information characterised by extreme accuracy, resolution and completeness and with state-of-the-art analysis and operational tools..
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system]()
World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system
The Northrop Grumman Integrated Battle Command System is in service with Poland and the US Army with another 20 countries believed to have expressed an interest.
-
![Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials]()
Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials
The Thales DigitalCrew package, first unveiled at last year’s Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles conference, is designed to merge imaging and apply a layer of decision-making and observation algorithms to support crew and other personnel.
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
