149
Objects launched
145
Payloads
Most recent objects
GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)| Object | Launched | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-07 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-10 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-11 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-12 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-13 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-14 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS2-HEO-15 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS1-Eaglet-2-11 | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| ION SCV Astounding Alexandra | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| IRIDE-MS1-Eaglet-2-14 | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
Objects by decade
GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)1960s2
1970s3
1980s1
1990s11
2000s11
2010s21
2020s100
Source: GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Space objects launched | 149 objectsGCAT [2026] |
| First space object | San Marco 1GCAT [2026] |
| First launch (year) | 1,964GCAT [2026] |
| Most recent launch (year) | 2,026GCAT [2026] |
| Active satellites | 72Celestrak SATCAT [2026] |
| Total tracked objects | 133Celestrak SATCAT [2026] |
- 1964 - first domestically manufactured science satellite (San Marco-1) launched by the US
- 1977 - first domestically built telecommunications/research satellite (Sirio) launched by the US 1990s-
- 2011 - participated in US Space Shuttle program, resulting in first Italian astronaut in space (1992) 1998-present - participated in International Space Station, including the first European astronaut on the station (2001), first Italian to command it (2019-2020), and first woman to command the station (2022)
- 2012 - first launch of Italian-designed VEGA 3-stage satellite launch vehicle (SLV) for ESA
- 2020 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration
- 2023 - first Italian all-electric satellite (MicroHETSat) built for the ESA and launched by the US; began developing a habitat for the US-led Artemis Lunar Gateway project
- 2025 - passed a national space law to govern Italian space operations
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
