The Boeing Co. [BA] launched the third of four Italian Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO), or SkyMed, spacecraft.

A Delta II rocket procured from United Launch Alliance (ULA) for Thales Alenia Space Italia lifted off from Pad SLC-2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The COSMO-SkyMed spacecraft was deployed to low-Earth orbit approximately 58 minutes after liftoff.

ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT].

Boeing Launch Services orbited the first two COSMO-SkyMed satellites in June and December last year.

Thales Alenia Space Italia developed the COSMO-SkyMed program for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence.

It is an end-to-end Earth observation dual-use (civil and military) system comprised of four medium-sized satellites and supporting ground stations for orbit control systems and data reception and processing.

The system will take imagery of the Earth using an X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument capable of operating in all visibility conditions at the request of institutional and commercial users, including members of the civil and scientific, and defense, communities.

Thales Alenia Space has provided Delta II tanks since 2001 and built many elements for the International Space Station (ISS), including the Multi-purpose Pressurized Logistics Modules, Cupola and Harmony Node 2.

Boeing is the prime contractor for the ISS.