SpainSat NG-I satellite successfully launched

European secure satellite communications took a major step forward as Hisdesat’s SpainSat Next Generation I (SNG I) successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on 30 January early morning. The launch occurred at 02:34 CET, sending the 6.1-tonne spacecraft on its journey to geostationary orbit approximately 36,000 km above Earth.

This milestone launch represents extensive collaboration between European space industry leaders through the Pacis 3 Partnership Project. Airbus Defence and Space, serving as prime contractor, delivered the state-of-the-art satellite to Spanish operator Hisdesat, which will manage operations to provide secure communications starting in the second half of 2025. The European Space Agency (ESA) developed the satellite's advanced communications antennas including reconfigurable active antennas featuring advanced beam hopping and geolocation capabilities.

The satellite’s antennas, which account for over 45% of the spacecraft’s cost, showcases Spanish space industry expertise having been built entirely in Spain through collaboration between Airbus, Thales Alenia Space (TAS-E), and Spanish industry of which includes Sener, Indra, Arquimea, Tecnobit, GMV and Airbus Crisa.

The satellite's capabilities extend far beyond traditional communication systems. It incorporates advanced protection against interference attempts (anti-jamming) and spoofing, while also featuring reinforced protection against high-altitude nuclear phenomena. With an operational lifespan of 15 years, it will provide critical support for government operations across an extensive coverage area from Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and up to Singapore in Asia.

Based on Airbus' Eurostar Neo platform, the satellite features unprecedented flexibility in communications management, including:

• A fully reconfigurable X-band payload using active antennas
• An advanced onboard digital processor enabling military X and Ka-band payload interconnection
• A dedicated high-speed service link for rapid reconfiguration
• Integration of cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence, big data, and IoT capabilities
• ESA-developed configurable beam to focus on area which needs coverage most.

The satellite will undergo several weeks of in-orbit testing before becoming fully operational. Once activated, the system will offer communications capabilities to Spanish government entities, allies and partner nations through bilateral agreements within the EU's GOVSATCOM programme.

SpainSat NG I represents the first of two satellites in Hisdesat's SpainSat Next Generation programme. The second satellite is projected to launch in September 2025.