Earth Observation

Rome – October 28, 2026 -- OHB Italia's Eaglet-II constellation reached its planned 24 satellites after the third batch of eight launched at 20:32 CEST from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The launch brings Italy's IRIDE Earth observation programme to 39 satellites in orbit.

Eaglet-II hit full strength less than twelve months after its first satellites launched in 2025. IRIDE now combines the 24 Eaglet-II units with 15 HEO-constellation satellites already in orbit.

OHB Italia builds, tests and operates the entire constellation

OHB Italia developed, integrated and tested the Eaglet-II satellites and also operates them. Its Rome mission control centre received the first signals after separation and started commissioning.

Bremen – October 28, 2026 -- OHB, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and the University of Exeter have started a two-year study for the European Space Agency (ESA) to test whether current and future Earth observation systems can detect climate tipping points early.

EO4TIPP targets four tipping processes

The study, called EO4TIPP (Future Earth Observation Architecture for Monitoring Tipping Points), covers four processes: thawing permafrost, changes in the Amazon rainforest, a possible collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, and a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

The partners will identify the observation data that matter most for each process and map existing gaps in coverage. They will then draw up recommendations for future Earth observation missions and monitoring services.