HISDESAT SELECTS THE NORTH AMERICAN SPACEX FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE SPAINSAT NG SATELLITESNovember 7, 2022Hisdesat, the government satellite services company, has formalized an agreement with the North American company SpaceX to put into orbit the two SPAINSAT New Generation satellites (I and II). This is the new program developed by the Spanish company to improve secure communications and defense of the Spanish Government, allied countries and various international organizations.The agreement, which includes the use of two Falcon 9 launchers for the launch of the two satellites, comes to continuity the agreement that the two companies sealed in 2018 for the launch of the PAZ satellite.On this occasion, the launches will be made from either of the two complexes that SpaceX uses in Florida, Cape Canaveral or NASA's Kennedy Space Center.The SpainSat NG I and II will replace the current SpainSat and XTAR-EUR and will incorporate the latest technological advances in communications to reinforce their capabilities, levels of security and resilience.The first of the devices, the SpainSat NG I, will be launched into orbit in 2024, while the SpainSat NG II will be launched in 2025. They will have a useful life of about 15 years, which will be at full capacity until the threshold of 2040.[...](Google Translate from Spanish)
QuoteSpainsat NG I is now fully completed in Toulouse, on the verge of completing the last stage of testing prior to its launch, which is scheduled for the end of November. As for NG II, it will leave Tres Cantos in a special convoy by road in the last days of May for the French city to complete the work and carry out the final tests. It is scheduled to be launched into orbit "in June 2025", the Secretary of State for Defence said.https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/new-technologies-innovation/hisdesat-and-defence-unveil-the-spanish-military-satellite-that-holds-the-most-secrets/20240422122509199207.html
Spainsat NG I is now fully completed in Toulouse, on the verge of completing the last stage of testing prior to its launch, which is scheduled for the end of November. As for NG II, it will leave Tres Cantos in a special convoy by road in the last days of May for the French city to complete the work and carry out the final tests. It is scheduled to be launched into orbit "in June 2025", the Secretary of State for Defence said.
The Communications Module of SpainSat NG-II satellite has been sent from Madrid to Toulouse! Culmination of over two years of intense activities in our clean rooms of Madrid with the AIT of the UHF and Ka-band payloads onboard two SPAINSAT NG satellites owned by Hisdesat
Per https://www.msn.com/es-es/noticias/internacional/cuenta-atr%C3%A1s-para-la-puesta-en-%C3%B3rbita-del-spainsat-el-innovador-sat%C3%A9lite-militar-espa%C3%B1ol/ar-AA1uEEbJ the launch is now planned for NET late January-early February 2025, with Spainsat-NG II launching in September 2025.
Spainsat NG on its way to Cape Canaveral01.09.2025[...]Regarding Spainsat NG 2, he confirmed that on the same day that the first one flies to Cape Canaveral, thermal vacuum tests are scheduled to begin there. Its launch, also using a Falcon 9, will be in September or October 2025.
The twin satellite SpainSat NG-II, which is currently under construction and testing at Airbus Defence and Space facilities, will be completed at the end of 2025.
The second satellite is projected to launch in September 2025.
Thus, as Spain prepares for the imminent launch of SpainSat NG II, scheduled for the end of 2025, a future is in sight in which the secure communications network will expand and consolidate, responding to the growing demands of a constantly changing geopolitical environment.
SpainSat's successor is the SpainSat NG Programme, whose first satellite, SpainSat NG I, was launched on 29 January. Its twin, SpainSat NG II, will be launched into orbit this autumn. This new generation of satellites will modernise and provide continuity and secure communications, incorporating technological innovations such as in-orbit reconfigurable active antennas, unique in Europe, and increased protection against cyber threats.
Given the booster was expended for the first Spainsat-NG mission, it’s likely another booster will be expended for the second satellite launch.That is unless SpaceX comes up with a way to get Spainsat-NG 2 to a favorable GTO while recovering the booster.
Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, has announced that the new Spainsat Next Generation 2 satellite will be launched into space next October. He made this announcement during his speech at Wake Up, Spain!, the economic forum organized annually by EL ESPAÑOL, Invertia, and Disruptores, which is being held this week in Madrid. "We launched the Spainsat Next Generation 1 on January 30th and we are preparing to launch the Spainsat NG-2 in October," he stated, adding that these two satellites "are going to be the most advanced in Europe in secure communications."
At the end of July, the satellite will enter its anechoic chamber testing phase , essential to ensure secure communications function properly before launch.
A Falcon 9 will launch the Spainsat NG-II communications satellite on October 22.
A Falcon 9 will launch the Spainsat NG-II communications satellite from pad 40 on October 22.
Lukas C. H.@GewoonLukas_Hisdesat's SpainSat-NG II satellite is currently on it's way to Florida, and set to arrive on September 30th! The satellite will launch on a Falcon 9 NET October 22nd. For the launch of SpainSat-NG I the booster was expended, so this likely will be an expendable launch as well.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 7 at 12:10-4:10 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch an Amazon Kuiper internet satellite batch from pad 40 on October 9 at 9:34 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the Spainsat NG-II communications satellite from pad 40 on October 22, in the evening EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission from pad 40 on early November. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch.
The secure communications satellite SpainSat NG II will be launched on October 23 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base (Florida) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.The approximate time will be 01:30 UTC (9:30 p.m. in the United States and 3:30 a.m. on the 23rd in Spain), according to Hisdesat.
SpainSat NG II MissionSpaceX is targeting Wednesday, October 22 for Falcon 9’s launch of the SpainSat NG II mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The four-hour window opens at 9:30 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Thursday, October 23 at the same time.A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.Due to the additional performance required to deliver this payload to orbit, this will be the 22nd and final flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, SES O3b mPOWER-C, Ovzon-3, Eutelsat 26D, Turksat 6A, Maxar 2, SXM-9, and 12 Starlink missions.
We are revving our engines ahead of the launch. The #SpainSat NG II has been successfully encapsulated in the nose cone of SpaceX's Falcon 9. The media are also eagerly awaiting the early hours of the 23rd (Spanish time). Thanks to @Cuatro and @Gabriel Cruz for this excellent report on Europe's most advanced secure communications satellite, which, together with its twin, #SpainSat NG I, will begin service in the spring of 2026.
This coming morning in Spain (03:30h), the SpainSat NG II satellite will be launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral (Florida) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, barring any last-minute unforeseen events.This launch completes the Spainsat NG constellation, which will guarantee secure communications for the Armed Forces and allied countries for decades to come, positioning Spain as a benchmark in this field.Hisdesat, owner and operator of SpainSat NG I and II, has been the driving force behind this program for the Ministry of Defense, promoting technological development and the Spanish industry in the sector.SpainSat NG II is part of a twin satellite system, along with SpainSat NG I, which was launched on January 30th and has been operational since August. With an investment of over €2 billion, the new satellites incorporate cutting-edge dual military and civil technology, including the most advanced active antennas in Europe.Weighing over 6 tons and measuring 7.3 meters tall, these satellites, once operational, will provide coverage from Denver to Singapore, ensuring secure communications for more than 15 years.
Falcon Watchers@Falcon9Watchers·B1076 is now vertical at SLC-40 ahead of it's 22nd and final flightThis will be the first time it flies since its 21st flight over 8 months ago, in FebruaryDue to the expendable nature, the booster visibly lacks any landing legs or gridfins
A technical issue with the SpaceX launcher has been resolved, and everything is ready at Cape Canaveral to launch Hisdesat Servicios Estrategicos SA's #SpainSat NG II satellite into orbit.
SpaceX@SpaceXFalcon 9 vertical at pad 40 in Florida ahead of tonight’s launch of the SpainSat NG II mission. Weather is looking good for liftoff in less than one hour
SpaceX@SpaceXThe first stage booster supporting today’s mission previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, SES O3b mPOWER-C, Ovzon-3, Eutelsat 26D, Turksat 6A, Maxar 2, SXM-9, and 12 Starlink missions
SpaceX@SpaceXThis launch marks the 22nd and final launch for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting today’s mission as additional performance is required to deliver the SpainSat NG II satellite to geosynchronous orbit.
NSF - NASASpaceflight.com@NASASpaceflightFarewell B1075-22 - the final mission for this booster. Expendable flight for this mission.
Dillon@Dillonshrop06Hazard Map for Spainsat NG II
Due to the additional performance required to deliver this payload to orbit, this will be the 22nd and final flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, SES O3b mPOWER-C, Ovzon-3, Eutelsat 26D, Turksat 6A, Maxar 2, SXM-9, and 12 Starlink missions.
SpaceX@SpaceXFalcon 9 launches the SpainSat NG II mission to orbit from Florida
Are there TLEs available for Spainsat NG-2 now that's been in space for almost 24 hours?
SPAINSAT NG II 1 66144U 25239A 25297.52786545 -.00000170 00000+0 55381-3 0 99922 66144 26.7778 246.6577 8217377 178.7247 187.6797 1.16854831 22
Our radar satellite #PAZ also captured the launch of #SpainSat NG II and gave us this impressive image. Below, we can see in high resolution the space launch complex at Cape Canaveral, from where the second secure communications satellite of Hisdesat Servicios Estrategicos SA
Quote from: ZachS09 on 10/25/2025 12:33 amAre there TLEs available for Spainsat-NG 2 now that it's been in space for almost 24 hours?https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2025-239QuoteSPAINSAT NG II 1 66144U 25239A 25297.52786545 -.00000170 00000+0 55381-3 0 99922 66144 26.7778 246.6577 8217377 178.7247 187.6797 1.16854831 22
Are there TLEs available for Spainsat-NG 2 now that it's been in space for almost 24 hours?
Jonathan McDowell@planet4589·New orbit data for Spainsat NG-II showing it in a 409 x 62984 km x 26.8 deg orbit.
QuoteJonathan McDowell@planet4589·New orbit data for Spainsat NG-II showing it in a 409 x 62984 km x 26.8 deg orbit.
Lukas C. H.@GewoonLukas_During its career, B1076 launched:- 266 Starlink satellites- 40 OneWeb satellites- 6 geostationary communications satellites- 2 O3b mPOWER satellites- 2 WorldView Legion satellites- 1 Cargo Dragon (with 7 cubesats)equating to ~242.000kg of total payload mass.
Jenny Hautmann@JennyHPhotoSpaceX’s Falcon 9 first stage B1067 has successfully completed a record-breaking 31st mission.The fleet leader has launched a total of 8 people to space, 2 Cargo Dragon spacecraft, more than 600 Starlink satellites, and a variety of payloads, including Türksat 5B, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, O3b mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, and Koreasat-6A.Reporting for @SuperclusterHQ
rykllan@_rykllan#Falcon9 fairing halves of SPAINSAT NG II
QuoteJonathan McDowell@planet4589·New orbit data for Spainsat NG-II showing it in a 409 x 62984 km x 26.8 deg orbit.https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1981897056760254712
Quote from: catdlr on 10/25/2025 02:04 amQuoteJonathan McDowell@planet4589·New orbit data for Spainsat NG-II showing it in a 409 x 62984 km x 26.8 deg orbit.https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/198189705676025471266144 SPAINSAT NG II 2025-239A 1300.57 23.64 64980 1201
Indra Group, as the majority partner of Hisdesat, reports that the SpainSat NG II satellite, owned by Hisdesat and launched last October 23 from Cape Canaveral, has suffered the impact of a space particle during its journey to its final orbital position.The incident occurred at a distance of 50,000 kilometers from Earth.Hisdesat has implemented a contingency plan to ensure that the Ministry of Defense and other clients are not affected.Hisdesat remains committed to the strategic objectives of the SpainSat NG program and the provision of the planned services.The technical team is analyzing the available data to determine the extent of the damage. If necessary, SpainSat NG II will be replaced as soon as possible.
The Company hereby informs that Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos, S.A. (“Hisdesat”), company in which Indra Group holds a majority stake, has activated a contingency plan to ensure the continuity of the services committed to the Ministry of Defence and its other clients, following the fortuitous impact of a space particle on the SpainSat NG II satellite (the “satellite”), which it owns, during the orbital transfer phase. Hisdesat confirms that its operational capabilities have not been affected and that it remains committed to the strategic objectives of the SpainSat NG II program and its ability to provide the services it has committed to.Once the technical teams complete their analysis of the incident, if it is confirmed that the damage affects critical areas of the satellite, its replacement will be initiated as soon as possible.
The altitude of the incident, well above the geostationary belt, suggests a collision with orbital debris is unlikely. The spacecraft may instead have been struck by a micrometeoroid. Another possibility is that the reference to a “space particle” reflects an interaction with charged particles associated with space weather; NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center reported minor to moderate activity in recent days.
Hit by orbital debris at 50,000 km? What an incredible stroke of bad luck. And this satellite ain't cheap.Edit: Some clarification in the SpaceNews article:QuoteThe altitude of the incident, well above the geostationary belt, suggests a collision with orbital debris is unlikely. The spacecraft may instead have been struck by a micrometeoroid. Another possibility is that the reference to a “space particle” reflects an interaction with charged particles associated with space weather; NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center reported minor to moderate activity in recent days.So they aren't being clear as to what it is, or they don't know, yet.
...Edit: Some clarification in the SpaceNews article:...
SpainSat NG 2 is one of two satellites launched last year by Hisdesat to provide secure communications for the Spanish Ministry of Defense and allied governments. SpainSat NG 1 launched in January 2025 on another Falcon 9 and is operating normally.
Hisdesat, together with the Ministry of Defence, has initiated the RFQ process for the SpainSat NG III satellite, which is set to replace SpainSat NG II, after verifying that the damage suffered by the latter due to the impact of a space particle will prevent it from completing the planned mission.Hisdesat has implemented this measure after analyzing the latest reports by the main contractor of the SpainSat NG II satellite. Although the space particle that collided with the satellite was estimated to be millimetric in size and weigh only a few grams, the high speed of the impact on a vital area of the satellite caused non-recoverable damage.The satellite is stable, complete and in a highly eccentric orbit, in such a way that it won’t interfere with any present or future space operations, and its loss won’t cause any economic harm, as it’s insured against this kind of damage.Until SpainSat NG III enters into operation, the services will be guaranteed through SpainSat NG I (from 29ºE) and SpainSat (from 30ºW).Hisdesat remains committed to the strategic goals of the SpainSat NG program and the provision of the planned services.
How on earth (or rather, in space) do you possibly protect your assets against millimeter-sized space particles?
Front, side, and back views of the Space Armor™ Lite tile (30cm x 30cm x 2cm), tested with a 3mm projectile traveling at 7.2 km/s, showing minimum deformation on the back side.
