SpaceX launched the Transporter-16 mission with 119 payloads onboard, including some from the Italian IRIDE project
A Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX successfully launched at 13:02 CEST on March 30 from pad SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying 119 payloads for the dedicated Transporter-16 mission. As can be inferred from the name, this is the sixteenth mission of this type as part of the rideshare program for small satellites from the American company. The previous mission of this kind took place at the end of November 2025, but in that case, the payloads were as many as 140.
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 30, 2026
The launch, the first in the Transporter series of 2026, placed the satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The upper stage completed all payload separations about two and a half hours after liftoff, as confirmed by SpaceX after receiving telemetry data. The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket (code B1093) was on its twelfth flight, having previously launched the SDA T1TL-B, SDA T1TL-C missions, and nine Starlink missions. After releasing the payload, the booster successfully landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) in the Pacific Ocean.
A mission like Transporter-16 helps reduce launch costs for the individual entities involved, which can be both government and research institutions, universities, and companies that do not have large budgets. Among the 119 payloads were CubeSats, microsatellites, and other satellites aboard orbital transfer vehicles (OTV) that will carry eight of them to different orbits at a later time.
According to available information, among the companies involved in the launch were the German Exolaunch, which managed 26 microsatellites and 31 CubeSats for over 25 international clients. SEOPS operated 19 payloads from 13 different countries, including educational, Earth observation, and IoT communication projects.
With Transporter-16, the first two satellites of the VIREON constellation from AAC Clyde Space for Earth observation, the three ERMIS satellites of Greek construction, as well as the Gravitas technology demonstrator from K2 Space (a project also funded by the Space Force) were present. There were also satellites related to NASA projects. According to a statement from SpaceX, "the ridesharing service significantly increases access to space for small satellite operators around the world. The spacecraft for this mission range from technologies for in-orbit manufacturing, Earth observation satellites, autonomous navigation systems, a reentry vehicle, and more."
Italy was represented with the deployment in space of eight Eaglet II satellites as part of the IRIDE project, an initiative of the Italian government, coordinated by ESA and supported by ASI. The systems were developed, manufactured, tested, and ultimately operated by OHB Italia, which also hosts the mission control center.
The Eaglet II systems are just part of the IRIDE program, which includes several satellites to expand its capabilities. Sixteen satellites of this type are now in orbit, and another eight will join by the end of 2026. These satellites weigh approximately 25 kg and have RGB optical sensors for Earth observation, allowing for ship tracking and territory surveillance.
Simonetta Cheli (Director of Earth Observation Programs at ESA) stated that "the launch of the Eaglet II satellites of the IRIDE constellation represents another very important step for the program, which now sees twenty-four satellites in orbit."