Spain is on the verge of a monumental milestone in its space industry. On January 28, 2025, the country will launch its most advanced satellite, Spainsat NG I, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This cutting-edge satellite promises secure communications for Spain’s Armed Forces and NATO allies.
It is managed by Hisdesat and set to be carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. With a 15-year operational lifespan and unparalleled technological capabilities, the launch is a significant leap for Spain in the global aerospace sector.
A technological marvel built for security
The Spainsat NG I is described as Europe’s most secure satellite and boasts revolutionary features. Among its highlights are antennas capable of withstanding electromagnetic pulses from potential nuclear explosions. This technology ensures functionality even under extreme conditions that could disable conventional electronic systems.
In addition to nuclear resilience, the satellite can counter intentional interference. Equipped with advanced geolocation capabilities, it can detect and pinpoint the source of disruptions. Certified by NATO, this level of security elevates Spain to an elite group of nations—alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—capable of providing secure communications to the Alliance.
Expanding global communication reach
The Spainsat NG program includes a second satellite, set for launch later this year. Together, these satellites will cover two-thirds of the planet, from Denver in the United States to Singapore. While primarily serving the Armed Forces and NATO, the system will also support government entities and allied nations through bilateral agreements.
The satellites’ core communication modules were developed in Spain by Thales Alenia Space. Built on Airbus’s Eurostar NEO platform, the design offers increased capacity, flexibility, and fully electric propulsion. Operating in X, Ka military, and UHF bands, the Spainsat NG satellites will remain active until 2040.
Countdown to launch
The Spainsat NG I has already arrived in Florida, where preparations for the launch are underway. The launch window is narrow, with only two hours allocated for liftoff. In case of adverse weather or technical issues, the mission can be rescheduled for the following day. Fortunately, January’s typically favourable weather in Florida gives Hisdesat’s CEO, Miguel Ángel García Primo, confidence in a successful launch.
Spain’s other key satellites
Spain has significantly advanced its space capabilities, deploying several key satellites that play crucial roles across various sectors, including meteorology, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
Paz satellite
Launched in 2018, the Paz satellite is Spain’s first Earth observation satellite equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. It provides high-resolution imagery for both military and civilian applications, such as ship tracking, environmental monitoring, and intelligence gathering. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, Paz delivers all-weather, day-and-night imaging capabilities, making it a versatile tool for various observational needs.
Landsat program
While Spain does not own the Landsat satellites, it benefits from the data provided by this joint NASA and U.S. Geological Survey program. Landsat satellites, including the latest Landsat 9 launched in 2021, offer detailed Earth imagery used globally for applications in agriculture, forestry, and environmental research. Spanish institutions and researchers utilize this freely available data to monitor land use, assess crop health, and study environmental changes.
Sentinel-2
Part of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, the Sentinel-2 mission comprises twin satellites, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, launched in 2015 and 2017 respectively. These satellites provide high-resolution optical imagery, essential for land cover and land use mapping, agricultural monitoring, and natural disaster management. Spain, as an ESA member state, actively participates in the Copernicus program and leverages Sentinel-2 data for various national applications, including environmental monitoring and urban planning.
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