The SPAINSAT NG II satellite suffers an external impact during its transfer to its orbital position
Indra Group, as the majority shareholder of Hisdesat, reports that the SpainSat NG II satellite, owned by Hisdesat and launched on October 23 from Cape Canaveral, was struck by a space particle while en route 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 its other customers are not affected.
Hisdesat remains committed to the strategic objectives of the SpainSat NG program and to providing 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.
Defense maintains communications operational after the SPAINSAT-NG II incident
The current system guarantees coverage until a new satellite is put into service, if necessary, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense confirming that:
"The SPAINSAT-NG II communications satellite suffered an accidental incident during its transfer to geostationary orbit, of which the Ministry of Defense has been duly informed. The event has had no impact on the Defense Ministry's satellite communications services or on the normal conduct of Armed Forces operations.
Coverage remains fully guaranteed thanks to the combination of the available capabilities of the SPAINSAT satellite and the operational capabilities of the first of the new generation of satellites, SPAINSAT-NG, which is already in service.
This configuration ensures the continuity of strategic communications while the necessary measures are taken to strengthen the system in the medium and long term. If necessary, the Ministry of Defense will require the construction of a third satellite to replace SPAINSAT-NG II as soon as possible.
The SATCOM-SPAINSAT NG Program is one of the fundamental pillars of the modernization of the Armed Forces' satellite communications. Its objective is to progressively replace the current SPAINSAT and XTAR-EUR systems with a new generation of more advanced, secure, and resilient satellites capable of operating in the X, Ka, and UHF bands.
The satellites in the program have been manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, through their French and Spanish subsidiaries, under the contract signed by Hisdesat, the operator and owner of the system.
The Ministry of Defense will continue to work closely and in coordination with Hisdesat and the other entities involved, maintaining a firm commitment to security, technological sovereignty, and the protection of Spain's strategic interests in the space sector.
