After a successful transfer of communications from the veteran satellite Xtar-EUR, which has operated for more than 20 years, the new satellite already provides superior coverage and greater autonomy for defense operations.
Last Monday, August 11, at 12:15 p.m., the crucial migration of communications from the Ministry of Defence from the old satellite to the new one. This operation, managed from Hisdesat's advanced Satellite Control Center in Hoyo de Manzanares (Madrid), concluded successfully, establishing links with Spanish military detachments, such as the one in Air Force and the Space in Djibouti and the frigate 'Navarra', which is participating in Operation 'Atalanta'.
The program SpainSat NG, led by Hisdesat in collaboration with the Spanish and French divisions of Airbus Defense and Space and Thales Alenia Space, is a strategic investment of nearly €1.400 billion over 15 years. With a national industry participation of over 40%, the project not only strengthens defense capabilities but also drives technological innovation. This will allow Spanish industry to lead projects in critical areas such as security, environmental management, and resource administration.
The future is even brighter with the launch of the second SpainSat NG satellite, scheduled for October 2025. With this new satellite, coverage will expand dramatically, spanning from United States and South America to Middle East and Singapore, covering two-thirds of the planet.
These satellites are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including increased capacity in X band y Ka band for aircraft and drones. They also incorporate tactical communications systems in UHFas well as robust security measures such as geo-location of interference, 'anti-jamming' protection and defense against high-altitude nuclear explosions (HANE).
The Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo ValcarceHe emphasized the importance of this milestone for the nation. “For Spain, the space race signifies, above all, progress in peace, security, prosperity, and well-being,” he stated, underscoring that satellite systems are indispensable for strategic autonomy and daily life.
The Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defense, promoted by the Government of Spain, plays a fundamental role in this context, ensuring that the Spanish space sector has the support and capabilities necessary to continue innovating and growing.
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