A German conglomerate launched a satellite to search for airborne threats

German conglomerate Rheinmetall, together with Italian space company Argotec, on 1 October 2026 launched its first satellite into orbit under their joint program. It is intended to collect intelligence data for early warning of aerial threats and to support air defense needs. The satellite was launched using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from SpaceX from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Rheinmetall called the launch an important milestone in the new strategic partnership with Argotec.

Through its subsidiary Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A., the German conglomerate is beginning to develop its own satellite capabilities for national security and military situational awareness. The program foresees not ordinary ground surface mapping, but the collection of intelligence information. The satellite’s sensors are to detect ground indicators of emerging aerial threats. This will provide early warning and additional data for air defense systems.

Collected data and images will be processed using artificial intelligence. Subsequently, the information will be integrated into national defense and air defense systems and also provided directly to customers. The system envisions the combination of several layers — space-based observation, ground nodes, and tactical networks. They will be managed by a Command and Control Post.

Rheinmetall’s partner in this program, Argotec, is an international space company headquartered in Turin, Italy. The company has experience participating in NASA programs and other major international space projects. Both companies plan to use the results of the current mission to test their technical capabilities under real conditions. Going forward, they intend to gradually develop satellite capabilities together.

Rheinmetall AG’s CEO Armin Papperger called the successful launch of the first satellite an important milestone in strengthening national security and developing space capabilities. According to him, integrating space data into existing defense architectures is an important step in response to changes in the security environment. Papperger also said that the cooperation demonstrates confidence in Rheinmetall’s technological integration expertise and contributes to technological sovereignty and resilient networked situational awareness.

Argotec’s founder and CEO David Avino called the launch a key step in creating next-generation space infrastructure focused on operational and defense needs. He said that together with Rheinmetall the company is turning space technologies into an operational asset that can be scaled, networked, and used to support complex defense scenarios. Avino also emphasized that the program should promote greater technological autonomy, since the obtained data can be turned into near-real-time information for decision-making.

Rheinmetall and Argotec plan to gradually build a larger satellite constellation in orbit. The next launch under the program is scheduled for 2028.

Earlier we wrote:

• More than €1.3 billion from Germany: Ukraine will strengthen air defense and prepare the energy sector for winter
• Ukraine and Germany signed a missile defense agreement to intercept Russian ballistic missiles
• Not only Starlink: Ukraine is aiming to create its own Space Forces
• Phone catches space: Viber, WhatsApp and Google Maps can now work via Starlink
• The first joint armored vehicle repair workshop in Ukraine was opened by Ukroboronprom and Rheinmetall