Airbus-Built SpainSat NG-I Next-Generation Satellite Successfully Launched

The first of Airbus’ next-generation secure military communication satellites, SpainSat NG-I, has successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Built for Hisdesat, the satellite is designed to serve the Spanish Armed Forces with unprecedented secure communications capabilities in UHF, X, and Ka bands. Following its launch, SpainSat NG-I will undergo extensive testing before entering full operational service in geostationary orbit by the second half of 2025.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Specifications

SpainSat NG-I is built on Airbus’ Eurostar Neo platform, a state-of-the-art design offering high flexibility, efficiency, and resilience. The satellite features:

• Advanced Multi-Band Communications: Operating in UHF, X, and Ka bands, enabling secure and encrypted military communication.
• Active Antenna System: The satellite features a revolutionary X-band transmit and receive active antenna system, equivalent to 16 traditional antennas. This system allows for instant beam reconfiguration, adapting coverage up to 1,000 times per second and actively countering jamming or interference.
• Expanded Coverage Area: SpainSat NG-I will provide secure military communication over two-thirds of the Earth's surface, including Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and extending to Asia.
• Radiation-Hardened Design: The satellite is built to withstand extreme conditions, including potential nuclear events, ensuring uninterrupted operations in crisis scenarios.
• Tenfold Increase in Data Capacity: Compared to previous SpainSat satellites, this new-generation system delivers a 10x boost in secure communication capability for military operations.

A Milestone for European Military Communications

SpainSat NG-I represents a major step forward in European space defense capabilities. Airbus, as the prime contractor, has worked closely with Spanish industry partners to ensure more than 45% of the satellite’s advanced payload was developed domestically. This highlights Spain’s growing role in the global space and defense sector.

SpainSat NG-II to Follow Soon

While SpainSat NG-I is now in orbit, its twin, SpainSat NG-II, is currently in the final stages of construction and testing at Airbus’ facilities. This second satellite is expected to launch by the end of 2025, further strengthening secure military communications for Spain and allied nations.

The successful deployment of SpainSat NG-I reaffirms Airbus’ leadership in military satellite technology, ensuring secure, high-performance communications for global defense forces in the years to come.