SpainSat NG II Launch Enhances Europe’s Secure Communications
Europe has achieved a significant milestone in secure communications with the successful launch of SpainSat NG II on October 24, marking the completion of the SpainSat Next Generation programme. Supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and spearheaded by Spanish satellite service provider Hisdesat, this programme represents a leap forward in technological autonomy, security, and crisis-response capabilities for the continent. With both SpainSat NG I and II satellites now in orbit, Europe has gained its most advanced governmental communications system yet, demonstrating a unified effort between the ESA, Airbus Defence and Space, and the Spanish Space Agency.
SpainSat NG: A Strategic Shift for Europe
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The SpainSat NG satellites bring innovative solutions to governmental and allied communication needs within Europe and beyond. Scheduled to begin operations in 2026, these satellites will serve key stakeholders such as the Spanish Armed Forces, allied government agencies, and the European Union through its GOVSATCOM HUB. Notably, their versatile global coverage includes Europe, the Americas, Africa, and parts of the Middle East and Asia, ensuring a wide-reaching system that supports high-security operations, humanitarian missions, and disaster-response efforts.
Each satellite is built on Airbus’s Eurostar Neo platform, weighing approximately six tonnes and featuring state-of-the-art technology. They are equipped with reconfigurable X-band antennas and KaGov-band steerable antennas, which were developed under ESA’s Pacis 3 Partnership Project. This unique design allows the satellites to adjust capacity in real time, addressing sudden communication demands that typically arise during crises or urgent operations. Furthermore, these advanced antennas can locate and prevent jamming attempts, ensuring uninterrupted, reliable communication even in challenging environments.
Innovative Antenna Technology Boosts Efficiency
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The technology underpinning the SpainSat NG satellites is a showcase of European innovation and collaboration. Rather than deploying multiple fixed antennas, these satellites utilize an active array capable of performing the work of 16 traditional antennas. This innovation allows immediate adaptability to changing user needs or environmental conditions, making secure communications more responsive and robust than ever before. Importantly, the ability to prevent disruptions or mitigate external interference underscores the satellite system’s resilience in critical scenarios.
Built in just five years by Airbus Defence and Space with significant contributions from Spanish industry leaders—such as Sener, Indra, Arquimea, Tecnobit, GMV, and Airbus Crisa—these satellites highlight an efficient industrial process. The SpainSat NG programme not only underscores Europe’s industrial capabilities but also strengthens the continent’s strategic independence in space.
Collaboration for Strategic Autonomy
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The SpainSat NG programme exemplifies the power of collaboration among institutional and industrial entities. ESA’s role as a neutral technological expert helped establish a collaborative “pool-and-share” approach, which ensures secure communication for governmental users in crisis scenarios. As Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, aptly noted: “The success of SpainSat NG demonstrates what Europe’s space players are capable of… ensuring governmental users can communicate during a crisis.”
This joint effort has not only enhanced Europe’s secure communications capabilities but also positioned Spanish industry at the forefront of active antenna technologies. Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, remarked on the accomplishment: “We are proud to have developed SpainSat NG I & II… which made it possible to innovate quickly and improve our collective safety and strategic autonomy.”
The completion of SpainSat NG I and II underscores Europe’s commitment to advancing satellite technology and securing its position as a global leader in space innovation. This launch secures a robust foundation for governmental communications, humanitarian missions, and high-security operations, marking a new era in Europe’s space capabilities.
