Spain Defense maintains operational communications until the replacement of SPAINSAT‑NG II

The current system guarantees coverage until the commissioning of a new satellite.

January 16, 2026 –Hisdesat, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, has initiated the request-for-proposals process for the SPAINSAT NG III satellite, intended to replace SPAINSAT NG II, once it was verified that the damage caused by the impact of a space particle prevents the latter from fulfilling its assigned mission.

Until the new satellite becomes operational, the communications coverage is ensured thanks to the combination of the capabilities of the currently operational SPAINSAT NG system and the SPAINSAT satellite, which remains fully functional.

This configuration guarantees at all times the continuity of communications for the Ministry of Defense and the normal conduct of Armed Forces operations, without any impact on the services provided.

The SPAINSAT NG Program constitutes 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 Ministry of Defense will continue to work in coordination with Hisdesat within the framework of the program, to reinforce the resilience of the system and ensure the long-term continuity of national satellite communications capabilities, considered essential for security and defense.

Source: Hisdesat